US Mediates between Libya's Dbeibah, Bashagha

Libyan prime minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah chairing a cabinet meeting. (Libyan government)
Libyan prime minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah chairing a cabinet meeting. (Libyan government)
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US Mediates between Libya's Dbeibah, Bashagha

Libyan prime minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah chairing a cabinet meeting. (Libyan government)
Libyan prime minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah chairing a cabinet meeting. (Libyan government)

US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland kicked off public and official mediation efforts between Premier Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah and Prime Minister-designate Fathi Bashagha.

However, Norland did not indicate which government was recognized by the US administration.

Norland spoke over the phone with both Dbeibah and Bashagha urging them to consider ways to manage Libya's affairs while efforts are underway, with UN facilitation, to restore momentum towards parliamentary and presidential elections rapidly.

"In the context of ongoing political tensions in Libya, I have been in touch with PM Dbeibah and PM-designate Fathi Bashagha and am confident both leaders want to avoid escalating violence," he disclosed via the US Embassy Twitter account.

He lauded their "mutual commitment" to holding elections as soon as possible and confirmed that such decisions "only Libyans can make," reaffirming Washington's support in reaching peaceful solutions.

Later, Norland discussed with Speaker Aguila Saleh how to deescalate tensions, avoid violence, and restore momentum to parliamentary and presidential elections as soon as possible.

The ambassador welcomed the Speaker's commitment to engage with UN efforts to produce rapid agreement on a constitutional basis and his emphasis on High National Election Commission's (HNEC) decisive role.

They agreed that Libya could not return to the turmoil of the past.

Earlier, Saleh discussed with the UK Charge d'Affaires, Kate English, the measures taken between the House of Representatives (HoR) and the state in the twelfth constitutional amendment and the selection of a new prime minister.

The British official intends to hold a meeting with Saleh and visit Benghazi and the eastern region soon.

The British Embassy said English had a "constructive discussion" with Saleh, and they agreed on the importance of engaging with the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser initiative to define a constitutional basis for elections.

They also agreed on the importance of stability and the need for compromise and dialogue at this critical time in Libya's transition.

In turn, UN Special Adviser Stephanie Williams criticized the media campaigns targeting efforts to end division in Libya.

Williams defended her initiative that aims at "bringing Libyans together to agree on a consensual constitutional basis to enable the holding of these elections as soon as possible."

She reiterated her support to the millions of Libyans who want to change this unacceptable reality and renew the legitimacy of institutions through elections.

"Libyans need to agree on a consensual way forward that prioritizes preserving the country's unity and stability."

Williams' statements seemed to respond to criticism directed at her initiative inviting leadership of both the House of Representatives and the High Council of State to nominate six delegates from each chamber to form a joint committee dedicated to developing a consensual constitutional basis.



UK Plans to Recognize Palestinian State in September Unless Israel Takes Action

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump (not pictured) hold a bilateral meeting at Trump Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, Britain, July 28, 2025. (Reuters)
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump (not pictured) hold a bilateral meeting at Trump Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, Britain, July 28, 2025. (Reuters)
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UK Plans to Recognize Palestinian State in September Unless Israel Takes Action

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump (not pictured) hold a bilateral meeting at Trump Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, Britain, July 28, 2025. (Reuters)
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump (not pictured) hold a bilateral meeting at Trump Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, Britain, July 28, 2025. (Reuters)

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday Britain was prepared to recognize a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly unless Israel takes a number of steps to improve life for Palestinians. 

Britain, if it acts, would become the second Western power on the UN Security Council to do so after France last week, reflecting Israel's deepening isolation over its conduct in its war against Hamas in Gaza, where a humanitarian disaster has set in and the Palestinian death toll has risen above 60,000. 

Starmer said Britain would make the move unless Israel took substantive steps to allow more aid to enter Gaza, made clear there will be no annexation of the West Bank and commits to a long-term peace process that delivers a "two-state solution" - a Palestinian state coexisting in peace alongside Israel. 

"The Palestinian people have endured terrible suffering," Starmer told reporters. "Now, in Gaza, because of a catastrophic failure of aid, we see starving babies, children too weak to stand, images that will stay with us for a lifetime. The suffering must end." 

Starmer said his government would make an assessment in September on "how far the parties have met these steps", but that no one would have a veto over the decision. 

He took the decision after recalling his cabinet during the summer holidays on Tuesday to discuss a new proposed peace plan being worked on with other European leaders and how to deliver more humanitarian aid for Gaza's 2.2 million people. 

Successive British governments have said they will formally recognize a Palestinian state when the time is right, without ever setting a timetable or specifying the necessary conditions. 

With warnings from international aid agencies that people in Gaza are facing starvation, a growing number of lawmakers in Starmer's Labor Party have been asking him to recognize a Palestinian state to raise pressure on Israel. 

The issue came to the fore after President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday France would recognize Palestine as a state in territories Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war. 

Israel and staunch supporter the United States blasted France's move, branding it a reward for Palestinian Hamas fighters who ran Gaza and whose attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 triggered the current war. 

At the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, when Starmer was the opposition leader, he fully backed Israel's right to defend itself. But his stance has shifted over the years to a tougher approach to Israel, especially since his election as prime minister just over a year ago. 

His government dropped the previous government’s challenge over arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and has suspended some weapon sales to Israel. 

Last month, Britain sanctioned two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, accusing them of repeatedly inciting violence against Palestinians.