Libya’s Advisory Committee Launches Meetings in Geneva

The Libyan Political Dialogue Forum in Tunis, Tunisia (File photo: Reuters)
The Libyan Political Dialogue Forum in Tunis, Tunisia (File photo: Reuters)
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Libya’s Advisory Committee Launches Meetings in Geneva

The Libyan Political Dialogue Forum in Tunis, Tunisia (File photo: Reuters)
The Libyan Political Dialogue Forum in Tunis, Tunisia (File photo: Reuters)

The Advisory Committee of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) kicked off Wednesday the UN-sponsored meetings in Geneva, Switzerland.

The discussions will be held until January 16 with participants from different Libyan regions.

The UN mission said in its statement that the meeting of the advisory committee started with the national anthem, followed by the opening remarks of the Acting Special Representative of the Sec-Gen in Libya Stephanie Williams.

Williams indicated that the committee was formed to come up with recommendations about the formation of an interim, unified executive authority.

“Reaching a broad agreement among this Committee’s members to produce specific recommendations would ensure moving forward with presenting these recommendations to the United Nations Support Mission in Libya to implement.”

The representative reiterated that the election date set for December 24 is an unwavering achievement, stressing that “to return the sovereign decision to its rightful owners, is our top priority.”

The US Ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland called on the committee to seize the opportunity to reach an agreement on forming a new interim executive authority that would set the stage for national elections later this year.

Norland indicated that the committee has the mandate to restore Libya's sovereignty and respond to the Libyan people's call for change, urging them to move while there's still a chance, "as the opportunity now created in Libya cannot be maintained indefinitely."

German Ambassador to Libya Oliver Owcza stated that the political process in Libya enters a critical phase, encouraging delegates and all political stakeholders to make the best use of this facilitated format and pave the way towards a unified executive authority.

For his part, UK Ambassador Nicholas Hopton described the meeting of the advisory committee as “an opportunity to put the needs of all Libyans first and agree a proposal to take Libya forward to free and fair elections this year.”

Meanwhile, UN Sec-Gen Antonio Guterres is considering nominating the Slovak diplomat, Jan Kubis, to succeed Ghassan Salame as UNSMIL head.

Kubis previously chaired the United Nations missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The United Nations officially requested the Arab League and the African and European Union to nominate experts to monitor the ceasefire, especially in Sirte and al-Jufra.

This comes in preparation for the deployment of international observers to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire between the forces of the Government of National Accord (GNA) and the Libyan National Army (LNA).



Lebanon Edges Toward Divergence with Hezbollah Over US Arms Proposal

 US Envoy Thomas Barrack during a recent visit to Lebanon (EPA) 
 US Envoy Thomas Barrack during a recent visit to Lebanon (EPA) 
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Lebanon Edges Toward Divergence with Hezbollah Over US Arms Proposal

 US Envoy Thomas Barrack during a recent visit to Lebanon (EPA) 
 US Envoy Thomas Barrack during a recent visit to Lebanon (EPA) 

Tensions are surfacing between Hezbollah and the Lebanese state over a US-backed proposal that calls for exclusive control of weapons by Lebanon’s official security institutions. While the government is reportedly open to constructive dialogue with Washington’s envoy, Thomas Barrack, Hezbollah has set new preconditions that effectively stall any immediate progress.

In a speech Friday evening, Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem framed the US initiative as an “existential threat,” declaring that the group would not engage in discussions on national defense until such a threat is “removed.” Qassem cited three dangers facing Lebanon: Israel along the southern border, extremist factions in the east, and what he called American efforts to “control” Lebanon politically and militarily.

His remarks come just days before Barrack is expected to return to Beirut for a third visit. US officials are awaiting a formal response to a proposal delivered last week, which urges Lebanon to adopt a clear timetable, ending by December, for implementing exclusive state control of all armed forces.

Government sources say a committee representing President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has made significant progress in drafting Lebanon’s reply. That response is expected to reflect a more flexible stance than Hezbollah’s, possibly committing to a phased process to bring all arms under state control, without directly confronting the group.

While Hezbollah has previously hinted at a willingness to hand over its heavy weapons - such as precision missiles and drones - it now insists that Israel must first meet a series of demands. These include withdrawal from five contested points in southern Lebanon, the release of Lebanese detainees, an end to airspace violations, and the start of reconstruction efforts in war-hit areas.

Meanwhile, opposition figures, particularly from the Lebanese Forces party, say Hezbollah is using the rhetoric of “resistance” to maintain its military grip. A party source told Asharq Al-Awsat that Hezbollah’s real aim is to keep its weapons while offering limited gestures, such as withdrawing from areas south of the Litani River - an approach rejected by both the Lebanese government and Washington.

The source warned that failure to engage with the current diplomatic opening could expose Lebanon to renewed violence, noting that Hezbollah has already missed previous opportunities for de-escalation. “The risk isn’t just political, it’s national,” the source said.