Libya’s Rival Govts Start UN-Backed Talks in Egypt

Libya's Fathi Bashagha, who was appointed prime minister by the eastern-based parliament this month, speaks during an interview with Reuters in Tunis, Tunisia March 30, 2022. (Reuters)
Libya's Fathi Bashagha, who was appointed prime minister by the eastern-based parliament this month, speaks during an interview with Reuters in Tunis, Tunisia March 30, 2022. (Reuters)
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Libya’s Rival Govts Start UN-Backed Talks in Egypt

Libya's Fathi Bashagha, who was appointed prime minister by the eastern-based parliament this month, speaks during an interview with Reuters in Tunis, Tunisia March 30, 2022. (Reuters)
Libya's Fathi Bashagha, who was appointed prime minister by the eastern-based parliament this month, speaks during an interview with Reuters in Tunis, Tunisia March 30, 2022. (Reuters)

Representatives of Libya's two rival governments began talks in Egypt on Wednesday aimed at reaching agreement on holding national elections, the United Nations Mission in Libya said.

Libya has had two competing governments since March when the eastern-based parliament appointed Fathi Bashagha to replace the Tripoli-based prime minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, renewing a standoff between the east and west of the country.

Dbeibah, who was chosen as interim prime minister a year ago in UN-backed talks, has refused to cede power to Bashagha.

"The ultimate solution to the issues that continue to plague Libya is through elections, held on a solid constitutional basis and electoral framework that provides the guard rails for an electoral process," UN Libya adviser Stephanie Williams told the opening session of the talks in Cairo.

Williams, supported by Western countries, has been seeking to resolve a political impasse since a scheduled election collapsed days before the vote was due to take place in December, amid arguments over the rules.

Delegates from the eastern-based parliament and the Tripoli-based High State Council named 12 members of each chamber to participate in the talks, which parliament spokesman Abdullah Belhaiq said will continue until April 20.

The parliament, elected in 2014, is recognized internationally through a 2015 political agreement that also recognized the High State Council as a legislative chamber formed from members of a previous parliament elected in 2012.

The planned election is part of a UN-endorsed peace process aimed at ending a decade of chaos since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted Moammar al-Gaddafi and reunifying the country.

"You have a critical role to play in making your voice heard in support of your 2.8 million fellow Libyan citizens who have registered to vote," Williams said.



Baghdad Prepares for Key Arab Summit, Eyes Broad Participation and Regional Consensus

Photo of the “Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership” held in 2021 (Reuters)
Photo of the “Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership” held in 2021 (Reuters)
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Baghdad Prepares for Key Arab Summit, Eyes Broad Participation and Regional Consensus

Photo of the “Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership” held in 2021 (Reuters)
Photo of the “Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership” held in 2021 (Reuters)

Iraq is stepping up preparations to host the Arab League Summit on May 17, expressing strong hopes that the gathering in Baghdad will lead to a unified roadmap for addressing regional and international crises.

The government reiterated its commitment to ensuring the summit’s success, highlighting Iraq’s founding role in the Arab League and the importance of Arab unity in the face of mounting geopolitical challenges.

“This summit comes at a time when the region and the world need a clear Arab stance,” a senior Iraqi official told Asharq Al-Awsat, saying Baghdad seeks that the summit produces “a framework for future cooperation and crisis management.”

While some political factions initially voiced concerns over the invitation extended to Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the powerful Coordination Framework coalition has softened its stance.

Coalition leader Uday Al-Khadran confirmed that all member parties support the summit, describing it as a major political and diplomatic milestone for Iraq.

“Hosting the summit reinforces Iraq’s regional standing and signals a return to its leading role in Arab affairs,” he said. Al-Khadran also emphasized that decisions regarding guest participation - such as that of the Syrian president - are the sole prerogative of the federal government.

Al-Sharaa received an official invitation last week to attend the summit, which will mark the 34th regular session of the Arab League and will be held alongside the fifth Arab Economic and Social Development Summit.

On the security front, Interior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari announced that a comprehensive plan has been finalized to safeguard the event.

The ministry confirmed on Thursday that Al-Shammari met with a delegation from the office of the Arab League Secretary-General in Baghdad to review ongoing preparations.

The visiting officials praised Iraq’s efforts, reaffirming the Secretary-General’s support for the success of the summit.

On Thursday, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid sent a formal invitation to Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman to attend the summit.

The message was delivered by Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein during a visit to Muscat. Hussein also held talks with his Omani counterpart, Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi, focusing on regional issues and strengthening bilateral ties.