National reconciliation, most eminent challenge of new authority in Libya

CAIRO - 4 April 2020: The national reconciliation is the most challenging file for the new authority in Libya, especially as it is the pillar of establishing the state after holding the general elections scheduled for next December.

Analysts believe national reconciliation is "the biggest obstacle facing the new Libyan authority," especially in the presence of militias benefiting from dividing the country, as this achieves their interests and the interests of the "external parties" that support them.

Libyan political analyst Ezz El-Din Aqeel confirms a reconciliation that aligns with the demands of the Libyans will disarm and dismantle the militias, and restructure the security and military institutions, to enable the state to acquire the weapons in its possession and restore the national security system.

"The Libyan people do not need national reconciliation except in very narrow and limited cases in terms of quantity and quality, and they can be dealt with easily and quickly. What they have been really waiting for and the West rejects strongly is disarming and dismantling the militias," Aqeel said in his interview with “Sky News Arabia."

In this context, he believes that establishing a system for national reconciliation takes place in countries that have witnessed civil wars based on sectarian and ethnic conflicts; this does not apply to the armed Libyan conflict, "which was not created by local contradictions, but rather was supported by foreign hands."

He continues, "Therefore, there are no social or sectarian militias in Libya, and they maintain no roots, and therefore citizens and local communities demand to halt them."

The political analyst refers to the presence of "unprecedented" pressure from Western parties on the new Libyan authority to achieve "national reconciliation" in the absence of government influence due to "the proliferation of arms and armed groups; armed and demilitarized cities; and terrorist groups that arise in countries where citizens are held hostage to pressure the country."

He asked, "How can Libyan national reconciliation be achieved under these circumstances? The governments of Western countries and the United Nations are asked about that."

Last Wednesday, the city of Zawiya witnessed the release of 120 members of the 107th Brigade of the Libyan National Army, while it was described at the time as a "reconciliation initiative."

International pressure

Informed Libyan sources confirmed to "Sky News Arabia", that this initiative was carried out under direct pressure from the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, which issued a warning to the militias managing the city in the west of the country.

The sources explained the mission's security team sent several cars carrying the logo of the UN organization to transport the released, out of concern that the militias would not fulfill their pledges.

The sources further pointed out that the coming stage "will witness a change in dealing with armed groups, especially since Prime Minister of the National Unity Government, Abdel-Hamid al-Dabaiba, clearly promised during his recent visit to Italy that he would work on the file of dissolving and integrating militias."

For his part, Libyan political analyst Ahmed Al-Aboud believes it is good to talk about reconciliation, its standards, and requirements. What is required is it remains the most prominent concern of the nation and its thinkers.

"But the matter must come within a set of understandings," Al-Aboud explains, confirming the importance of achieving "an equitable distribution of wealth and sustainable development."

He adds, "It is possible to rely on the Libyan cultural heritage in producing its model of reconciliation and openness, and to overcome the mistakes that the country has committed since 2011."