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AFP
Tripoli
A surprise ceasefire announcement by Libya’s rival administrations offers a glimmer of hope for peace, but analysts caution scepticism after years of violence and as multiple foreign forces back opposing sides.
Fayez al-Sarraj, head of the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), based in the west in the capital Tripoli, and Aguila Saleh, speaker of the eastern-based parliament backed by military strongman Khalifa Haftar, each announced a ceasefire on Friday.
The leaders, in separate statements, said they wanted to end fighting and hold elections, drawing praise from the UN, the EU and several Arab countries.
Emhemed Shoaeb, a key member of talks that led to the last major agreement in 2015, said the announcement was a step “in the right direction” that showed a “desire to break with the madness” of the past.
European Union diplomatic chief Josep Borrell described it as a “constructive first step forward”.
But international pressure has sought to bring Libya’s leaders to an agreement several times in past years, and a lasting deal has yet to be reached.
“This is but one step in what will be an arduous process, especially since local parties distrust not only one another, but also international parties involved,” said Emad Badi, senior fellow at the Washington-based Atlantic Council think tank.
“I have always said that Libyans will get serious about a truce when they all hit a wall... this may be it,” said Karima Munir, a banker from Tripoli.
“Both (sides) know that there is no winning party if the conflict continues -- and their backers have reached this realisation too.”
For some Libyans, talk of Sirte as a future seat of government recalls plans by Kadhafi to turn his home town into the country’s capital.
“It’s ironic that Kadhafi’s lifetime goal of making Sirte the seat of government may be realised now,” Munir, the banker, said.
“He must be smiling in his grave.”
Tripoli
A surprise ceasefire announcement by Libya’s rival administrations offers a glimmer of hope for peace, but analysts caution scepticism after years of violence and as multiple foreign forces back opposing sides.
Fayez al-Sarraj, head of the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), based in the west in the capital Tripoli, and Aguila Saleh, speaker of the eastern-based parliament backed by military strongman Khalifa Haftar, each announced a ceasefire on Friday.
The leaders, in separate statements, said they wanted to end fighting and hold elections, drawing praise from the UN, the EU and several Arab countries.
Emhemed Shoaeb, a key member of talks that led to the last major agreement in 2015, said the announcement was a step “in the right direction” that showed a “desire to break with the madness” of the past.
European Union diplomatic chief Josep Borrell described it as a “constructive first step forward”.
But international pressure has sought to bring Libya’s leaders to an agreement several times in past years, and a lasting deal has yet to be reached.
“This is but one step in what will be an arduous process, especially since local parties distrust not only one another, but also international parties involved,” said Emad Badi, senior fellow at the Washington-based Atlantic Council think tank.
“I have always said that Libyans will get serious about a truce when they all hit a wall... this may be it,” said Karima Munir, a banker from Tripoli.
“Both (sides) know that there is no winning party if the conflict continues -- and their backers have reached this realisation too.”
For some Libyans, talk of Sirte as a future seat of government recalls plans by Kadhafi to turn his home town into the country’s capital.
“It’s ironic that Kadhafi’s lifetime goal of making Sirte the seat of government may be realised now,” Munir, the banker, said.
“He must be smiling in his grave.”
