UN mission affirms priority to unify Libya’s military

UN representative for Libya Hanna Fetteh met with Chief of General Staff of the Libyan army General Mohammed Al-Haddad to discuss the unification of Libya’s military, according to Asharq Al-Awsat on March 7th. 

Head of the UN Support mission for Libya Hanna Tetteh discussed with Al-Haddad ways of unifying Libya’s military powers which are currently divided into two competing forces ruling separate parts of the country. 

“Tetteh and Al-Haddad emphasized that the unification of the military should remain a priority for authorities across Libya, as the security and stability of the country are crucial for any political process to move forward,” the UNSIL said in a statement released after the meeting.

Al-Haddad is the Army’s top commander of the Tripoli-based interim government headed by Abdel Hamid Dbeibah, who rules the western side of the country and is recognized by most international organisations.

The competing government, based in Benghazi has been under the authority of Fiel Marshall Khalifa Haftar who serves as a de facto ruler for the eastern part of Libya, where most oil reserves are located.

During the meeting, the UN mission offered its help to support Libya’s effort in enhancing security and in conducting the political process. The mission also stressed the importance of women’s rights in the country and their inclusion in the government. 

Meanwhile, East Libya authorities are also in search of international legitimacy. Director General of the Development and Reconstruction Fund of Libya and Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar son Belqasim Haftar met Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani in Rome to discuss joint cooperation on economic matters.

This follows his father’s visit to Emmanuel Macron in February, in which, according to Libyan sources, the French president recognised the key role of the ruler of Benghazi in the future political process in Libya says RFI.

Both authorities have also been vying for the control of Libya’s oil resources which have been reported to sore recently, with Haftar’s Libya reaping the benefits. 

Asharq Al-Awsat, RFI, Maghrebi