Highlights: Libyan crisis: the UN special representative met Marshal Haftar and his Prime Minister. Until now, Abdoulaye Bathily refused to have contact with the head of an eastern government based in Benghazi and not recognized by the international community. The initiative launched a year ago by Bathily to bring together the four state authorities while excluding the Benghazi government ended up failing. Bathily would have had the green light from the Americans, eager to tear the strong man from eastern Libya from the arms of Moscow.

Libyan crisis: the UN special representative met Marshal Haftar and his Prime Minister

In Libya, the special representative of the UN Secretary General met on March 20, 2024 the strongman from the east of the country, Marshal Khalifa Haftar, and his Prime Minister, Osama Hammad. Until now, Abdoulaye Bathily refused to have contact with the head of an eastern government based in Benghazi and not recognized by the international community. Could this meeting mark a turning point in the Libyan crisis?

Abdoulaye Bathily, United Nations special representative for Libya and head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), during a press conference in Tripoli, March 11, 2023. AFP - MAHMUD TURKIA

By: RFI Follow

The special representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya

Abdoulaye Bathily, met on March 20, 2024 with Khalifa Haftar, the strong man of eastern Libya, and the prime minister of his government, Osama Hammad, in order to try to advance the political process towards elections.

This is not the first time that Bathily and Haftar have met. But, until now, the United Nations representative refused to have contacts with the Prime Minister of the East, based in Benghazi and not recognized by the international community.

A turning point?

This meeting could mark a turning point in the Libyan crisis. It was very well received in the east of the country. Abdelhadi al-Houij, the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Hammad government, described it as “

important

”. “

This is a step in the right direction

,” he said, indicating: “

We are an essential part of the political process, if this process does not move forward, then we must be listened to.

The initiative launched a year ago by Abdoulaye Bathily to bring together the four state authorities while excluding the Benghazi government ended up failing and no meeting could be organized, under pressure from the eastern camp.

Breaking the deadlock

Has special correspondent Bathily changed his mind? It is true that the current political consultations are difficult and are failing to put in place a new interim government of national unity which will be responsible for organizing the elections.

For several observers, the meeting of the special envoy with Khalifa Haftar as well as with Prime Minister Osama Hammad in Benghazi aims, by involving this government at the discussion table, to break the current impasse.

For others, Bathily does not act alone: he would have had the green light from the Americans, eager to tear the strong man from eastern Libya from the arms of Moscow.

Also read: Libya: after the Cairo agreement, are we moving towards the formation of a unified government?

Libyan crisis: the UN special representative met Marshal Haftar and his Prime Minister

Libyan crisis: the UN special representative met Marshal Haftar and his Prime Minister

A turning point?

Breaking the deadlock

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