Aguila Saleh to Asharq Al-Awsat: Haftar, Sarraj Meeting is Impossible

Libyan parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh. (Reuters)
Libyan parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh. (Reuters)
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Aguila Saleh to Asharq Al-Awsat: Haftar, Sarraj Meeting is Impossible

Libyan parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh. (Reuters)
Libyan parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh. (Reuters)

Libyan parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh blamed “some forces in the international community” for the failure of holding the elections in his country.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat from Cairo, Saleh said Libyans should be encouraged to cast their ballots without foreign intervention.

“The political path from the beginning was wrong, and then the end will be certainly wrong,” he said, explaining: “The former UN envoy, Martin Kobler, was supposed to assist Libya in enforcing the laws regulating the authorities, especially as it is an independent state with laws, an elected parliament, a constitution and courts. The transition of power in these cases is known.”

“But what happened was that the Muslim Brotherhood did not get seats in parliament, so they revolted; the international community disregarded the constitution and the elected parliament, and it started dealing with a government of its choice,” Saleh noted.

“Therefore, the Libyan people cannot accept a government that was imposed by international agreement and not by their own choice. The UN mediator was supposed to be a fair mediator for all parties, not just an employee of the United Nations and international community,” he added.

Asked about the Skheirat agreement, which was signed by the Libyan parties in December 2015, Saleh noted that the Libyan people did not delegate those who participated in the agreement.

“Legitimacy is granted by the people, not by foreign forces… These mistakes led to the delay of the political solution in Libya. Today we need to remove everyone’s hands off Libya. Assistance should only be in the elections,” he emphasized.

The speaker stressed that there would be no return to the Skheirat agreement.

“But we want to go to the elections. If [Government of National Accord head Fayez] al-Sarraj has popularity, he has to resort to the ballot boxes,” he said.

On whether the current situation was adequate for holding the polls, he noted that 85 percent of the population supported this demand.

“It is the only road that will lead to a solution,” he said. “The Libyans reject all that is imposed on them from abroad. We are a united people and a cohesive social fabric, but foreign interference is distorting this cohesion.”

He said he expected the elections to be held at the beginning of 2020, adding that the Libyan National Army (LNA), African Union and international community could handle necessary security arrangements.

On Washington’s efforts to hold a meeting between LNA commander Khalifa Haftar and Presidential Council chief Sarraj, he remarked: “A meeting between them is impossible, especially after Libyans were killed and the head of the Presidential Council was blamed for it.”

Asked about his relationship with UN envoy, Ghassan Salame, Saleh emphasized that he was biased to the GNA, “which is not considered as a party to dialogue.”

“The parliament has already rejected this government and has not given it its confidence,” he added.

Furthermore, he accused Qatar and Turkey of supporting groups in Tripoli that the LNA considers "terrorist", noting that the army should “carry out its duty towards the security and stability of the homeland.”



Red Cross Spokesperson: War in Sudan Caused Catastrophic Humanitarian Conditions

Smoke billows from al-Jaili oil refinery north of Omdurman, the Sudanese capital's twin city, during battles between the Sudanese military forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), on January 15, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Smoke billows from al-Jaili oil refinery north of Omdurman, the Sudanese capital's twin city, during battles between the Sudanese military forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), on January 15, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
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Red Cross Spokesperson: War in Sudan Caused Catastrophic Humanitarian Conditions

Smoke billows from al-Jaili oil refinery north of Omdurman, the Sudanese capital's twin city, during battles between the Sudanese military forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), on January 15, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Smoke billows from al-Jaili oil refinery north of Omdurman, the Sudanese capital's twin city, during battles between the Sudanese military forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), on January 15, 2025. (Photo by AFP)

The spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Sudan, Adnan Hazam, has described the situation in Sudan as catastrophic, stating that the war has created a “grim humanitarian reality.”

He emphasized that the scale of needs is enormous, but humanitarian aid remains modest due to the complexities of accessing conflict zones, delivering assistance, and ensuring its distribution within the country.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Hazam noted that millions of Sudanese are in urgent need of aid. He revealed that tens of thousands have been killed and injured as a result of the war, which has also displaced over 11 million people both internally and externally. The conflict has caused severe damage to infrastructure, particularly water, healthcare, and electricity services.

Hazam explained that the aid being delivered is aimed at alleviating suffering as much as possible under the current circumstances.

According to Hazam, the ICRC is concentrating its efforts this year on life-saving activities and meeting basic humanitarian needs. These include healthcare, protection, food relief, and financial assistance for the most affected communities near conflict zones. The organization is also working to reunite families separated by the war and locate missing persons.

The spokesperson added that the ICRC is coordinating with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society in most parts of the country and collaborating with official health authorities. He acknowledged the immense challenges facing humanitarian organizations in Sudan, saying: “The scale of needs is staggering. Our efforts aim to mitigate suffering, but ending it completely is beyond reach, as the conflict has created a deeply painful humanitarian reality.”

He stressed that the ICRC is in constant communication with all parties to the conflict to facilitate access to those in need.

“We remind all sides of their moral and legal obligations under international humanitarian law, which prohibits targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, guarantees safe passage for displaced persons, and protects healthcare and public service facilities—80% of which are no longer functional,” he remarked.

Hazam highlighted the deteriorating health and environmental conditions in Sudan, which have severely impacted the population and made access to healthcare increasingly difficult.

“With the spread of epidemics and seasonal diseases, the burden on the few operational healthcare institutions has doubled,” he said.

He also called for an end to attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel, emphasizing the need for greater adherence to international humanitarian law.

Regarding the evacuation of civilians trapped in conflict zones, Hazam explained that the ICRC is engaged in ongoing dialogue with the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). He noted that the organization is urging both parties to open safe corridors in conflict areas, stressing that this is a “legal and moral obligation that must be fulfilled.”

Hazam noted that the ICRC has previously acted as a neutral mediator to facilitate the evacuation of detainees from both sides, but such actions require direct requests and security guarantees. He emphasized: “Civilians who choose to remain must be protected, as they are not participants in the hostilities.”

The ICRC official expressed hope for lasting peace and stability in Sudan, noting that it would significantly ease humanitarian suffering.

“The Sudanese people deserve to live in safety,” he said. He reiterated that the ICRC operates with neutrality and independence, striving to reach those most in need.

According to the latest UN reports, over 25.6 million people in Sudan are in need of humanitarian assistance, with 755,000 at risk of severe famine.