Libyans Fear Rapprochement Between GNA, Pakistan

Libyans Fear Rapprochement Between GNA, Pakistan
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Libyans Fear Rapprochement Between GNA, Pakistan

Libyans Fear Rapprochement Between GNA, Pakistan

A number of political observers and experts warned that regional powers, such as Pakistan, are trying to establish a foothold in Libya, which will further complicate the situation in the country.

Recently, Defense Minister of the Government of National Accord (GNA) Salah al-Namroush received the Pakistani military attaché in Libya, Brigadier Atif Talha.

Talha announced his country’s desire to enhance the military cooperation with Libya in the fields of counterterrorism, demining, and disposal of explosive wastes.

Member of the House of Representatives (HoR) Ali al-Takbali wondered the reason behind Pakistan’s involvement in Libya at the current time, despite the established relations between the two countries.

He indicated that Pakistan is trying to cooperate with Libya in the security and military field, at such a difficult time in the country.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Takbali indicated that the Turkish intervention in Libya encouraged most countries in the region to follow Pakistan's league.

He explained that rival regional powers in the Middle East have long sought to intervene in Libya and North Africa after Turkey preceded them.

The lawmaker indicated that Pakistan’s interest in Libya could lead to India or perhaps Iran’s involvement, noting that this will further complicate the situation.

GNA's Defense Minister allows foreign intervention thus leading to the failure of any political solution, which if reached, will not allow him to remain in position, according to Takbali.

For his part, Libyan security expert and head of Silphium Center for Studies and Research, Gamal Shallouf, fears that the Libyan treasury would finance any deals concluded or to be concluded between Pakistan and Turkey, in light of their apparent rapprochement over the recent period.

Shallouf told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Turkish Air Force still suffers from the repercussions of the failed coup attempt in 2016, which prompted Ankara to seek the help of foreign military pilots and experts, especially in F-16 fighter.

Ankara had already requested the assistance of Islamabad, he noted, adding that in light of the difficult economic situation, it would be possible to include the costs of training or hiring of Pakistani pilots in Turkey in the bill for any potential Pakistani training of GNA forces.

Meanwhile, the security expert at al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, Ahmed Kamel el-Buheiri, highlighted the possibility of Turkey seeking to establish a Libyan army that mimics the Pakistani military model.

He explained that the Pakistani army succeeded in agreeing with the religious establishment of various currents, including Salafists, the Brotherhood, and more extremist groups.

The expert stated that the danger will be trying to imitate the Pakistani army, that is, merge the Libyan military establishment with the Islamic current which controls the GNA.

Turkey will establish an army of a religious nature, and Pakistan will receive the financial revenues that will be paid from the proceeds of Libyan oil, according to the expert.



UN Urges Israel to Stop Advancement of Settlement

Palestinian hamlets are seen at the E1 area, an open tract of land east of Jerusalem, between the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim and the occupied West Bank town of Eizariya Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)
Palestinian hamlets are seen at the E1 area, an open tract of land east of Jerusalem, between the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim and the occupied West Bank town of Eizariya Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)
TT
20

UN Urges Israel to Stop Advancement of Settlement

Palestinian hamlets are seen at the E1 area, an open tract of land east of Jerusalem, between the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim and the occupied West Bank town of Eizariya Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)
Palestinian hamlets are seen at the E1 area, an open tract of land east of Jerusalem, between the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim and the occupied West Bank town of Eizariya Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

The United Nations calls on Israel to reverse its decision to start work on a long-delayed settlement that would divide the West Bank and cut it off from East Jerusalem, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Thursday.

"It would put an end to prospects of a two-state solution," Dujarric told reporters.

"Settlements go against international law... further entrench the occupation."

Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced work would start on the long-delayed settlement, a move his office said would "bury" the idea of a Palestinian state.

The Palestinian government, allies and campaign groups condemned the scheme, calling it illegal and saying the fragmentation of territory would rip up peace plans for the region.

Standing at the site of the planned settlement in Maale Adumim on Thursday, Smotrich, a settler himself, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump had agreed to the revival of the E1 development, though there was no immediate confirmation from either.

The United States responded to Smotrich's announcement by saying that a stable West Bank is in line with the Trump administration's goal for peace in the region.

Asked about Smotrich's statement that Netanyahu and Trump had agreed to the revival of the so-called E1 development, a spokesperson for the US State Department said the US remained focused on ending the war in Gaza and ensuring Hamas will never govern that territory again.

"A stable West Bank keeps Israel secure and is in line with this administration's goal to achieve peace in the region," the spokesperson said, while referring to the Israeli government for further information.