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Russia Calls for Including Gaddafi Supporters in Libya Dialogue

Russian FM Lavrov and his counterpart in the GNA Siala during their meeting in December. (AP)
Russian FM Lavrov and his counterpart in the GNA Siala during their meeting in December. (AP)
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Russia Calls for Including Gaddafi Supporters in Libya Dialogue

Russian FM Lavrov and his counterpart in the GNA Siala during their meeting in December. (AP)
Russian FM Lavrov and his counterpart in the GNA Siala during their meeting in December. (AP)

Russia has taken an additional step that clarifies its position on the dialogue in Libya and the means to reach a final settlement to the country’s conflict.

After previous signals that it clearly had reservations on the dialogue and the way participants were selected, its deputy foreign minister announced on Monday that it does not believe that the main goal is limited to organizing elections at the end of the year.

Sergey Vershinin stressed the need for allowing the participation of all Libyan parties in the process, including supporters of late ruler Moammar al-Gaddafi.

Their participation will lay the foundation for reaching a comprehensive reconciliation in the country, he explained in remarks to Rossiya Segodnya.

The Libyans themselves have the main responsibility of taking important decisions and the responsibility to implement them, he added.

In turn, these decisions should be part of national dialogue, which should include all political powers, including Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar and Gaddafi supporters, he stated.

“We believe that elections should not be the sole goal of the dialogue, but they should be part of reforms, which Libya badly needs. These reforms will achieve the ultimate goal of real national reconciliation, national unity and establishment of effective government institutions,” Vershinin added.

Last week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had held talks with his counterpart in the Government of National Accord (GNA) Mohamed Siala on the developments in Libya and the political settlement.

Moscow had previously expressed reservations over the mechanism that selected participants in the Libyan dialogue.

A Russian diplomatic source had told Asharq Al-Awsat that the method showed that some figures and forces were keen on achieving political gains instead of seeking effective dialogue that can lead to a final settlement.

Previous reports had revealed that Moscow was in contact with Gaddafi supporters, claims it has denied.

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Hamas Comes Under Pressure in Lebanon

The Supreme Defense Council, chaired by President Joseph Aoun, issued a recommendation to the government to warn Hamas against using Lebanese territory for any actions that undermine national security (Lebanese Presidency)
The Supreme Defense Council, chaired by President Joseph Aoun, issued a recommendation to the government to warn Hamas against using Lebanese territory for any actions that undermine national security (Lebanese Presidency)
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Hamas Comes Under Pressure in Lebanon

The Supreme Defense Council, chaired by President Joseph Aoun, issued a recommendation to the government to warn Hamas against using Lebanese territory for any actions that undermine national security (Lebanese Presidency)
The Supreme Defense Council, chaired by President Joseph Aoun, issued a recommendation to the government to warn Hamas against using Lebanese territory for any actions that undermine national security (Lebanese Presidency)

Relations between Hamas and the Lebanese state have entered a critical phase not seen since the country’s civil war era. In a rare and direct move, Lebanon’s Supreme Defense Council on Friday named Hamas in an official warning, cautioning the group against using Lebanese territories to conduct activities that threaten national security.

The warning follows rocket attacks in March, allegedly launched by Hamas operatives toward Israel from southern Lebanon, and signals a turning point in Beirut’s handling of the longstanding issue of Palestinian arms.

The issue is expected to dominate discussions during the upcoming visit of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to Beirut on May 21. Lebanese authorities are reportedly preparing to demand that Hamas hand over individuals implicated in the rocket attacks.

Hamas officials in Lebanon declined to comment immediately, but sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that an official statement from the group is forthcoming.

Last month, the Lebanese army said it had identified those responsible for the March 22 and 28 rocket launches, revealing a cell composed of Lebanese and Palestinian nationals. Subsequent raids led to several arrests and the seizure of equipment used in the attacks. Security sources later confirmed the detention of three Hamas members - two Palestinians and one Lebanese.

Analysts and insiders believe Hamas now finds itself increasingly isolated in Lebanon. According to Palestinian political analyst Hisham Debassy, the group has little choice but to comply with Lebanese demands, including potentially disarming.

“The Defense Council’s position marks a serious and strategic shift,” said Debassy. “It sends a strong political message not just to Hamas but to any non-state actor operating militarily on Lebanese soil.”

Debassy described Hamas as being at a crossroads. “Either it cooperates with Lebanese authorities by handing over wanted individuals and signaling respect for state sovereignty, or it continues down a path of confrontation, an option that carries significant political and security costs.”

He noted that Hamas currently lacks the internal cohesion and public support to take a defiant stance. Internal divisions have grown between factions aligned with Iran and others favoring political reintegration within the broader Muslim Brotherhood framework.

Political analyst Dr. Qassem Qassir said Hamas’ leadership, based largely in Qatar, remains mindful of Lebanon’s fragile security. “Hamas doesn’t want to endanger Lebanon,” he said, adding that the group is likely to act cautiously given the broader regional context.

Meanwhile, Abbas’ visit is seen as an opportunity to reshape Palestinian-Lebanese relations and advance state authority in Palestinian camps. Lebanese officials are seeking a roadmap, backed by the Palestinian Authority, that could lead to the phased dismantling of weapons in refugee camps, following similar efforts targeting pro-Syrian Palestinian factions in the Bekaa and Naameh regions.

Hamas’ presence in Lebanon had traditionally been limited to social and political activities. But its military footprint began to emerge after a 2022 explosion in the Burj al-Shemali camp. Since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023, Hamas’s armed wing has become more active in southern Lebanon, coordinating with Hezbollah in launching attacks on Israel, further complicating its position with Lebanese authorities.