75 Libyan representatives elected by the UN have met since Monday 9 November in Tunis to find a political solution to the crisis in Libya. Although the roadmap is accepted by all, the priorities differ.
To first address the names or forms of the future political regime? It is this issue that was at the heart of the first discussions on Monday afternoon at Libya’s political dialogue forum in Tunis. Stephanie Williams, the acting UN representative in Libya, clearly outlined the roadmap for the 75 participants: they must find a single government that will be responsible for preparing for the planned elections within 18 months.
To stabilize the country first …
If all the Libyans that the UN has chosen on geographical, ethnic and ideological grounds have accepted the principle, there is no agreement on the priorities. Some participants think that we must first come down to stabilize the country by appointing a government that would create unity before we think about the future. Others say that in order to reach this consensus, everyone must first know what the next election will look like.
Your determination will be tested
Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General
Faced with this first obstacle, voices within the forum are already wondering whether this conference is not doomed to lead to a “Skhirat bis agreement”. Signed in December 2015, this text gave birth to the current government of national unity in Tripoli appointed by the UN and which has never succeeded in uniting the eastern and western country.
The organizers in question also estimate just over 50% of the chances of seeing the dialogue lead to a really solid agreement within a week. Their main fear is, in particular, the emergence of an alternative plan, which could emerge in the coming days, on the part of dissatisfied Libyan groups, which would undermine the efforts made so far to bring these 75 Libyans together.
The discussions are scheduled to last until late in the evening on Monday, and the forum is expected to last for about a week.
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