Libya: the international game behind the announcement of a resumption of discussions

Forces loyal to Marshal Haftar, in the town of Sebha, located 660 km south of Tripoli, in February 2019. (Illustration photo) AFP

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After a suspension of more than three months, the UN mission announced on Monday June 1, the resumption of military talks between the rival Libyan powers. The two previous meetings were unsuccessful and failed to impose a humanitarian truce. At a time when international and regional calls for a truce are increasing, the situation is becoming more complex.

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For the moment, the United Nations Mission in Libya (Manul) does not give a precise date for the start of these new talks. The National Unity Government does not seem in a hurry, and is doing everything to arrive at the negotiating table by being in a position of strength on the ground. To chase the Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Haftar from the ground in the West is his strongest wish. The GNA has not officially announced its agreement for the talks.

As for his opponent Marshal Haftar, it is from Cairo where he held military meetings at very high level, that he announces that he will not participate in these talks until the militias of Tripoli have laid down their arms. He asked Egypt for help to support him internationally. However, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates welcomed the announcement of the resumption of talks after their ally Khalifa Haftar had suffered multiple military setbacks.

Turkey seems proud to have changed the military equation, as several of its officials say. Moreover, Fayez el-Sarraj, the Prime Minister of the GNA is paying a new visit to Ankara on Thursday. Finally, France, which has reactivated its diplomacy with regard to the Libyan file, has expressed its fears that Turkey and Russia will come to an agreement "  on their terms  " to the detriment of the stability of Libya, said the Élysée in a press release this Wednesday.

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