The leaders of the main countries involved in the conflict that is tearing apart Libya meet on Sunday in Berlin to try to relaunch the peace process and prevent the civil war from making it a "second Syria". The number one objective of this summit under the aegis of the UN is to put an end to the multiple foreign interference in this state where the clashes are fueled by appetites around its large oil reserves, regional political rivalries and games influence.
What are the latest developments in the situation there?
Between the recent arrival on the ground of Turkish soldiers, the suspected presence of Russian mercenaries and the continuous influx of weapons delivered by several states, the international community fears that the conflict will escalate in this country plunged into chaos since 2011. Les two main protagonists of the crisis in Libya, Fayez al-Sarraj, the head of the Government of National Unity (GNA) recognized by the UN, and Khalifa Haftar, the strongman of eastern Libya, will be present in the capital German. But they should not be sitting at the same table. The former is supported by Turkey while the latter is supported by Russia.
A ceasefire has been in effect for a few days. So far, the truce has been more or less respected between the two rival camps at the gates of the capital, but it remains fragile: Marshal Haftar has so far refused to sign a formal agreement on the cessation of hostilities, unlike Fayez al-Sarraj. After capturing eastern and much of southern Libya, Khalifa Haftar set out to conquer the center of power in Tripoli, counting on a quick victory. But since the beginning of April it has faced fierce resistance.
Marshal Haftar's forces appeared to want to send a message to the Berlin conference by blocking the main oil terminals in eastern Libya on Saturday. A way for them to protest against the Turkish intervention. The Russian and Turkish leaders, who today play a central role in Libya, notably find Sunday the Egyptian, German, French, Italian and German leaders.
What can we expect from this summit?
A commitment to respect the embargo on arms deliveries, decreed in 2011 but largely unheeded, is particularly expected, according to the draft final agreement. A call for a "total" and lasting cessation of hostilities on the ground must also be launched, while the debate on the possible dispatch on the spot of an international force to verify its reality is gaining ground.
"We see the Berlin summit as an important step to consolidate the ceasefire and move towards a political solution," said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a key player in the conflict, upon leaving Istanbul. "The conference can be a first step for peace in Libya," said German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, the host of the summit, in an interview published in the daily Bild on Sunday.
For his part, the head of the GNA asked, in an interview published on Sunday by the German press, for the sending to his country of an "international military force" under the aegis of the UN in case Marshal Haftar takes over the fights. Its mission would be to "protect the civilian population," he said, echoing similar remarks this week from the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell.
And France in all this?
France is suspected by its European partners of supporting the strongman of eastern Libya rather than the GNA. You have to see "the balance of power as it is" with Marshal Haftar who controls with his allies "roughly 80% of the territory", argues a French diplomatic source.
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