Libya's Haftar Calls for Unified Government to Oversee Polls

Libya's eastern commander Khalifa Haftar speaks to the media after submitting his candidacy papers for the presidential elections at the office of the High National Elections Commission, in Benghazi, Libya November 16, 2021. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori
Libya's eastern commander Khalifa Haftar speaks to the media after submitting his candidacy papers for the presidential elections at the office of the High National Elections Commission, in Benghazi, Libya November 16, 2021. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori
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Libya's Haftar Calls for Unified Government to Oversee Polls

Libya's eastern commander Khalifa Haftar speaks to the media after submitting his candidacy papers for the presidential elections at the office of the High National Elections Commission, in Benghazi, Libya November 16, 2021. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori
Libya's eastern commander Khalifa Haftar speaks to the media after submitting his candidacy papers for the presidential elections at the office of the High National Elections Commission, in Benghazi, Libya November 16, 2021. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori

Libyan military strongman Khalifa Haftar called Friday for a unified government of technocrats to organize long-delayed elections, in place of the rival administrations currently vying for control.

Libya has been torn by more than a decade of stop-start conflict since a NATO-backed revolt toppled strongman Muammar Qaddafi in 2011, with a myriad of militias forming opposing alliances backed by foreign powers, said AFP.

The country remains split between a nominally interim government in Tripoli in the west, and another in the east backed by Haftar.

Presidential and parliamentary elections were due to be held in December 2021 but were never organized as differences persisted on key issues including who should be allowed to stand.

Last week, both sides agreed on the legal steps to hold the elections following talks in Morocco, but stopped short of signing a deal, suggesting that some differences remain.

Among the contested points are the candidacy of dual nationals and soldiers.

Haftar also holds US citizenship, and his detractors accuse him of seeking to restore military dictatorship in Libya.

The United Nations, which hopes the elections could take place before the end of the year, has said it would work toward helping iron out differences between the rival sides.

On Friday, a statement from Haftar’s self-styled Libyan National Army urged the rival administrations “to end the political divisions and form a new unified government comprising technocrats tasked with organizing elections.”

Meanwhile, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said that UN envoy Abdoulaye Bathily had “initiated a series of meetings with political leaders in Libya, regional and international partners, and other stakeholders to hear their analysis and discuss potential ways forward.”

According to the statement, some of Bathily’s interlocutors voiced concerns over the agreement struck last week in Morocco which, they claimed, “could hinder elections from a practical and political standpoint.” It gave no further details.



Senior Israeli Official: Al-Sharaa Is Clearly Our Enemy

Children ride in a truck as they are evacuated due to fears of Israeli army incursions, following a drone attack that reportedly killed at least four people in the area, on the outskirts of the village of Koayiah, southwestern Syria, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)
Children ride in a truck as they are evacuated due to fears of Israeli army incursions, following a drone attack that reportedly killed at least four people in the area, on the outskirts of the village of Koayiah, southwestern Syria, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)
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Senior Israeli Official: Al-Sharaa Is Clearly Our Enemy

Children ride in a truck as they are evacuated due to fears of Israeli army incursions, following a drone attack that reportedly killed at least four people in the area, on the outskirts of the village of Koayiah, southwestern Syria, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)
Children ride in a truck as they are evacuated due to fears of Israeli army incursions, following a drone attack that reportedly killed at least four people in the area, on the outskirts of the village of Koayiah, southwestern Syria, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)

A senior Israeli official warned on Tuesday that the growing understandings between Syria and Türkiye could restrict Israel's operational freedom in Syria.

Regarding Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Haaretz newspaper quoted the senior official as saying, “He is a classic Islamist and clearly our enemy – without a doubt.”

The official added, "This is a strategic asset we must preserve. Türkiye’s goal is to limit Israeli activity in Syria. We have no interest in confrontation, but we won't give up our positions either."

The senior official also addressed the Israeli Army operations in Syria, stating, “We have full backing from the US president.”

Regarding the possibility of Türkiye establishing a base in Syria, he said, “We don't believe Erdogan will be the one to provide the funding.”

Lately, Israeli officials have voiced concerns over reports that Türkiye is considering establishing a military base in Syria.

Israeli security sources said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is holding security consultations to discuss concerns over Turkish influence in Syria following the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime, and is trying to portray a confrontation with Ankara as inevitable.

The Hebrew website Walla, citing security sources, said Syria is holding contacts with Türkiye regarding the transfer of areas near Palmyra (central Syria) to the Turkish army in exchange for economic and military support for Damascus. This development sparked significant Israeli concerns, the sources said.
They noted that the new Syrian regime is working to restore military bases and enhance missile and defense capabilities in the south, near Israel.

Last Thursday, a Turkish Ministry of Defense source confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat reports about plans to establish a military base in Syria.

The source, who requested anonymity, said Türkiye is evaluating, in line with the new Syrian government's requests, the possibility of setting up a training base to enhance the capabilities of the Syrian military.

This statement was made in response to questions during a weekly press briefing by the Turkish Ministry of Defense, addressing recent reports regarding the potential establishment of a Turkish military base in Palmyra, Homs province, and an airbase at the Menagh Military Airport in Aleppo province.

“All our activities in Syria are coordinated in advance with the relevant parties, and all necessary security measures are taken,” the source added.

Earlier last month, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel will defend itself against any threat from Syria, while vowing the military will continue working to keep southern Syria demilitarized.

“We will ensure that southern Syria remains demilitarized and free of threats, and we will protect the local Druze population - anyone who does harm to them will face out response,” he wrote on his X page.