Head of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez al-Sarraj, and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte called on Saturday all parties to focus on political efforts to achieve stability in Libya.
Meeting in Rome, they said they must work along a political path that restores stability in line with the United Nations Security Council resolution and the Berlin conference.
The solution to the crisis in Libya will not be military, they stressed.
Sarraj, who made a surprise visit to the Italian capital, said he agreed with Conte on the formation of a follow up committee aimed at resuming the operation of Italian companies in Libya, according to a statement from his office.
Sarraj also met with deputy head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Stephanie Williams. They discussed the need to end the closure of Libyan oil fields and resume production under the supervision of the GNA-affiliated National Oil Corporation.
They also tackled UN efforts to return to the political path according to the Berlin conference and UN Security Council resolution 2510.
Meanwhile, a prominent Libyan National Army military official revealed that international and regional efforts were underway to avoid the eruption of a battle over the coastal city of Sirte.
The LNA troops and pro-GNA militias have been amassing their troops in recent days ahead of a battle for the city.
The official told Asharq Al-Awsat on condition of anonymity that the “road has been paved for negotiations.”
He denied claims that the LNA forces had withdrawn from Sirte, adding that Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi was clear in his warning to the GNA and Turkey against advancing on the city.
Earlier this month, the president had declared Sirte and al-Jufra red lines that should not be crossed, saying that any move towards them would be a threat to Egypt’s national security, warranting military intervention.
The official revealed that LNA commander Khalifa Haftar was being pressured to return to the negotiations table “with American, Russian and western guarantees.” He did not elaborate
“At the end of the day, a political settlement will be proposed for discussion,” he added.
Separately, GNA interior minister Fathi Bashagha urged the European Union to blacklist the Russian Wagner company, which he accused of committing “crimes against humanity in Libya.”
In a statement on Friday, he said mercenaries from the company had seized the al-Sharara oil field “in a dangerous precedent that paves the way for foreign mercenaries to control Libyan oil.”
He warned that Russian control of the oil field is a dangerous threat to Libyan national security and undermines the interests of all American and European companies operating in the country.
