Unveiling New Libya Plan, U.N. Sees Opportunity for Peace

By John Irish

UNITED NATIONS – On Wednesday, the United Nations introduced a new roadmap aimed at revitalizing international efforts to resolve the political deadlock in Libya and bring an end to the chaos that has followed the country’s uprising in 2011.

Ghassan Salame, the U.N. envoy for Libya, outlined an "action plan" during the U.N. General Assembly in New York, suggesting amendments to a 2015 peace agreement that has stalled since its inception.

The Government of National Accord (GNA), established under the December 2015 agreement, has struggled to solidify its power in Tripoli, leading to the emergence of three competing administrations supported by various armed factions.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed optimism about the current moment, stating, "I am also convinced that today there is an opportunity to end a protracted crisis that has caused immense suffering and contributed to the instability beyond Libya’s borders. We must all seize this moment."

The GNA’s effectiveness has been hampered by internal divisions within its nine-member Presidency Council, preventing it from addressing Libya’s severe liquidity crisis, restoring collapsing public services, or reining in influential militias.

While oil production has seen some recovery and local forces successfully expelled Islamic State from Sirte last year, security gaps remain in central and southern Libya, with armed groups exerting control over the informal economy.

Eastern commander Khalifa Haftar has notably consolidated his power on the ground, supported by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. While his anti-Islamist stance has earned him praise from allies, critics accuse him of aiming to re-establish military rule, a system that Libyans fought against during the ousting of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi six years ago.

GNA Prime Minister Fayez Seraj called for Salame to convey a clear message to those who might undermine the peace process, asserting that the GNA is the sole legitimate governing entity.

ACTION PLAN

In his proposed plan, Salame, who began his role in August, recommended streamlining the GNA Presidency Council to three members, who would then nominate a new transitional government.

"The action plan was not designed by me, but by the Libyans. They want an inclusive process, a way forward which clearly defines stages and objectives," he stated.

Salame announced that drafting of the plan would commence in the coming week, leading up to a national conference bringing together all key Libyan actors in the political process. Adjustments to the 2015 agreement would require approval from an eastern-based parliament that is currently struggling to function.

The European Union and the United States have placed sanctions on Agila Saleh, the head of that parliament, for obstructing Libya’s political progress.

A delegation from the eastern parliament is anticipated to start discussions with members of its rival assembly based in Tripoli. They are under pressure to reach an accord before December 17, when adversaries of the 2015 agreement claim it will expire.

Salame also hinted at a possible new timeline for this process, balancing demands for new elections with the imperative to create a legal framework supporting those elections.

Conducting elections would necessitate drafting electoral laws and, potentially, holding a referendum to ratify a new constitution. Previous elections in 2014 faced challenges that escalated conflict and led to the division of essential Libyan institutions.

France, Britain, and Italy, which have all attempted to assert their influence recently, expressed full support for Salame’s plans. British Prime Minister Theresa May emphasized the need for unity, stating, "We must be united behind the roadmap. Our collective credibility is at stake in Libya."