Libya: Khalifa Haftar announces "one last chance" to chart a political course

Libya's eastern military leader, Khalifa Haftar salutes after a speech at a rally marking the country's 71st anniversary of independence from Italy in the eastern city of Benghazi on 24 December 2022. AFP - ABDULLAH DOMA

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In Libya, Khalifa Haftar gives peace a chance.

The strongman from the east of the country spoke on the occasion of the 72nd anniversary of the country's independence.

From Benghazi, he announced " 

 " to chart a political course and call elections.

Words that leave a little respite for negotiation.

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Khalifa Haftar chose to make a statement of appeasement as, for some time, Libyan sources reported that the marshal was ready to proclaim this Saturday, December 24, the state of emergency and the autonomy of the regions of Cyrenaica and Fezzan.

Khalifa Haftar, who had already launched an offensive against Tripoli before being repelled, therefore preferred to calm things down. He indicated that Libya's unity was " 

 ".

“ 

 ,” he said.

This declaration falls on Independence Day, but also a year to the day after the cancellation of a much-awaited general election which was to help get the country out of the rut.

But today, the context is extremely worrying.

The security and political situations have deteriorated.

Clashes between militias are increasingly frequent.

The political process initiated in 2020 in Berlin already seems far away.

There is no more roadmap.

Two parallel governments are installed, accentuating the divisions.

And in addition, the parties in power are sticking to their positions.

" 

," said

.

The UN representative called on all leaders to find consensus, through free and fair

, avoiding escalation.

" 

 ," said the former Senegalese minister.   

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• Libya

• Khalifa Haftar

• UN