Libya's Haftar Calls for Unified Government to Oversee Polls

Libya's eastern commander Khalifa Haftar speaks to the media after submitting his candidacy papers for the presidential elections at the office of the High National Elections Commission, in Benghazi, Libya November 16, 2021. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori
Libya's eastern commander Khalifa Haftar speaks to the media after submitting his candidacy papers for the presidential elections at the office of the High National Elections Commission, in Benghazi, Libya November 16, 2021. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori
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Libya's Haftar Calls for Unified Government to Oversee Polls

Libya's eastern commander Khalifa Haftar speaks to the media after submitting his candidacy papers for the presidential elections at the office of the High National Elections Commission, in Benghazi, Libya November 16, 2021. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori
Libya's eastern commander Khalifa Haftar speaks to the media after submitting his candidacy papers for the presidential elections at the office of the High National Elections Commission, in Benghazi, Libya November 16, 2021. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori

Libyan military strongman Khalifa Haftar called Friday for a unified government of technocrats to organize long-delayed elections, in place of the rival administrations currently vying for control.

Libya has been torn by more than a decade of stop-start conflict since a NATO-backed revolt toppled strongman Muammar Qaddafi in 2011, with a myriad of militias forming opposing alliances backed by foreign powers, said AFP.

The country remains split between a nominally interim government in Tripoli in the west, and another in the east backed by Haftar.

Presidential and parliamentary elections were due to be held in December 2021 but were never organized as differences persisted on key issues including who should be allowed to stand.

Last week, both sides agreed on the legal steps to hold the elections following talks in Morocco, but stopped short of signing a deal, suggesting that some differences remain.

Among the contested points are the candidacy of dual nationals and soldiers.

Haftar also holds US citizenship, and his detractors accuse him of seeking to restore military dictatorship in Libya.

The United Nations, which hopes the elections could take place before the end of the year, has said it would work toward helping iron out differences between the rival sides.

On Friday, a statement from Haftar’s self-styled Libyan National Army urged the rival administrations “to end the political divisions and form a new unified government comprising technocrats tasked with organizing elections.”

Meanwhile, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said that UN envoy Abdoulaye Bathily had “initiated a series of meetings with political leaders in Libya, regional and international partners, and other stakeholders to hear their analysis and discuss potential ways forward.”

According to the statement, some of Bathily’s interlocutors voiced concerns over the agreement struck last week in Morocco which, they claimed, “could hinder elections from a practical and political standpoint.” It gave no further details.



Yemen Reopens its Embassy in Damascus

The Yemeni flag is raised at the embassy in Damascus. (Saba)
The Yemeni flag is raised at the embassy in Damascus. (Saba)
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Yemen Reopens its Embassy in Damascus

The Yemeni flag is raised at the embassy in Damascus. (Saba)
The Yemeni flag is raised at the embassy in Damascus. (Saba)

Yemen reopened its embassy in Damascus on Sunday after it was taken over by the Iran-backed Houthi militias since 2016 with the support of the now ousted Syrian regime.

Yemen’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mustafa al-Noman told Asharq Al-Awsat that the reopening of the mission marks a new chapter in relations with Syria “after years of severed ties caused by the regime.”

Ambassadors will soon be announced to help restore normal relations, he added.

Asked if there are discussions with Iran on Yemen restoring its embassy in Tehran, Noman confirmed that talks have been held to that end.

He said that the entire world, expect for Iran, recognizes the legitimate government in Yemen as the official representative of the Yemeni people.

“We are hoping for a positive gesture from Iran to put the past behind us,” he added.

Moreover, he stressed that it was “important during such a critical stage for all Arabs to agree on how to resolve crises and discuss common issues frankly and without delays that have taken up our time, efforts and resources.”

Noman underlined the “pioneering” role Saudi Arabia can play in the world and region in the coming phase under the leadership of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, given its political influence.

The reopening of the embassy took place at the directives of Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr. Shaya al-Zindani and his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani, reflecting the historic ties that bind their countries and peoples, said a Yemeni Foreign Ministry statement.

Mohammed Azzi Baakar was named charge d’affaires.

The reopening marks a historic moment in relations and underscores the role of the legitimate Yemeni government against “dark projects” - a reference to the Houthi militias’ agenda, said the ministry.

It hoped the move would kickstart a new chapter in cooperation with Syria in various fields.