Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez have reaffirmed the urgent need to establish a new, unified executive authority in Libya, emphasizing the importance of holding simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections under a Libyan-led political process.
In a joint statement following their discussions in Madrid, both leaders welcomed the efforts of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission aimed at unifying Libya’s military and security institutions.
Additionally, they stressed the importance of political and security progress, including the withdrawal of foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.
