Libyan Prime Minister Calls for National Reconciliation

After six years of political instability, Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Seraj is calling for national reconciliation among the warring factions, saying it will help bring the war-torn country back to normalcy, reports Reuters.

Fayez said only a successful national reconciliation initiative can help bring peace back to Libya, which has been at war with Islamic State militants since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

“In the last five years, Libya has been through a very difficult and critical phase…many political divisions. There was disintegration of the social fabric as a result of bloody conflicts,” Fayez said.

The Libyan premier recently spoke in New York, where he attended the annual United Nations gathering of world leaders.

Previous efforts to reconcile the deeply divided and highly militarized country have often hit a brick wall as the warring factions continue to wage war against one another.

“So we need a real reconciliation between Libyans inside and Libyans abroad. There will be no exclusion of any political faction,” Fayez continued.

Vested Interests

The prime minister revealed that he wishes to launch the national reconciliation drive before the end of this year, but his efforts have been met with unpleasant challenges.

During his talk, Fayez cited the current stand-off between General Khalifa Haftar and the Government of National Accord over its endorsement and the integration of Haftar’s self-appointed Libyan National Armyinto the national armed forced.

The Presidential Council has also been unable to deal with everyday problems plaguing Libya, such as the liquidity crisis, numerous kidnappings, the failing health sector, and frequent power cuts.

According to the Libyan Prime Minister, General Haftar’s recent seizure of oil ports is likely to deepen the long-standing east-west divisions.

“We expect within coming weeks to end negotiations on shaping a new government,” Fayez said.

Many observers maintain that for any national reconciliation process in Libya to succeed, it has to include critical sectors of the society, including civil society, women, and all tribes.