Criticism mounts over US plan to reunify Libya

Growing opposition to the US-backed plan to reunify Libya’s rival political factions came into focus as Washington’s top envoy sought to engage with critics of the proposal.

Massad Boulos, US President Donald Trump’s adviser on Africa and the Middle East, arrived in the western city of Misrata on July 7^th for talks with political and military figures opposed to the American initiative aimed at ending Libya’s long-running political crisis, as reported by The New Arab and agencies.

Although Misrata’s municipal council did not formally acknowledge the visit and its media office declined to comment, sources said Boulos was due to meet opponents of the initiative at a hotel in the city to hear their concerns. Before Boulos’s arrival demonstrations outside Misrata airport on July 7^th, where dozens of protesters denounced what they described as a “suspicious deal”, as reported by Libya Security Monitor.

In a statement read to the crowd, demonstrators said the political figures the initiative sought to bring together “represent only themselves and have no legitimacy”, adding that they would reject any settlement that did not reflect the will of the Libyan people.

Before the meeting on July 7^th, Misrata’s Military Council also criticised the proposal, arguing it would create another transitional period instead of leading directly to elections by allowing the rival authorities in Tripoli and Benghazi to share power.

The council further rejected any agreement involving eastern military commander Khalifa Haftar and his sons, describing such a move as an attempt to restore military rule. The council also called for peaceful demonstrations across Libya in support of a constitutional referendum followed by parliamentary and presidential elections, while also opposing Boulos’ visit to Misrata, saying its position represented “the force on the ground” in the city.

During the meeting with Boulos, community leaders in Misrata, alongside military leaders and civil society representatives, said that they reject any political settlement that would perpetuate Libya’s crisis or enable figures named in UN reports over corruption or human rights violations, as reported by The Libya Observer. They said any solution must be based on a clear constitutional framework supported by international guarantees to preserve Libya’s unity and sovereignty.

Boulos is expected to continue his visit with talks in Tripoli with Presidential Council head Mohamed al-Menfi, who has also reportedly expressed reservations about the US proposal. The diplomatic mission follows discussions in Valletta between representatives of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity and the eastern-based General Command loyal to Haftar, where participants examined obstacles facing the US initiative.

Lt Gen Saddam Haftar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on June 29^th, as part of renewed US efforts to reunify Libya’s divided institutions. The broader US initiative seeks to reunify Libya’s rival administrations after years of political division, with Boulos saying Libyan leaders could eventually be invited to Washington to sign a final agreement if a deal is reached.

The New Arab and agencies, The Libya Observer, Libya Security Monitor, Maghrebi.org