Q&A
Resumption of Dialogue between the Libyan Parties
Question:
The dialogue resumed on Monday, November 23, 2020, in a second round between the Libyan parties via video conferencing technology. The dialogue focused on the mechanisms for nomination for the new government and the Presidential Council. The first round was held on Sunday, November 15, 2020, where it was announced that an agreement had been reached on certain points, while other matters remained pending. This dialogue began in parallel with a dialogue that started in Morocco between the Libyan parties as well. So, who is behind the "war of dialogues"? Have they reached important matters that can solve the crisis in Libya? And what are the international positions regarding this?
Answer:
To answer the question, we must review the following matters:
Turkey supported Sarraj until his forces repelled Haftar's forces from the capital, Tripoli, and pursued him until Sirte and Al-Jufra. Subsequently, Turkey asked him to accept a permanent ceasefire and engage in dialogue and negotiations with the other party, which Turkey considers rebellious and illegitimate! To this end, the Turkish Foreign Minister visited the capital, Tripoli, on June 17, 2020, to meet with Fayez al-Sarraj, head of the Government of National Accord (GNA), and announced: ("We discussed ways to achieve a permanent ceasefire in Libya and reach a permanent political solution"... Anadolu, June 18, 2020). Thus, Turkey's intervention was not for the benefit of Sarraj and his government, but rather to place them under pressure until they accept the other party. Turkey moves within the American orbit openly. America has announced that it supports Turkey's steps in Libya, which means that the Turkish movement is being carried out for its benefit. A phone call took place on June 8, 2020, between the presidents of the two countries, Trump and Erdogan, in which they discussed the Libyan issue. Erdogan announced that "there is work to produce an American-Turkish initiative to solve the Libyan crisis." In an interview with the official Turkish TRT television following this call, he said that "agreements were reached with Trump" and pointed to the "possibility of the two countries formulating a 'joint initiative' on Libya" without revealing further details. Likewise, the statements of Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu to the Turkish NTV television on June 11, 2020, confirm this, as he said: "Turkish and American officials will discuss possible steps as agreed upon by President Erdogan and his American counterpart Trump during a phone call on Monday (June 8, 2020)," and also pointed out that "a Turkish-American initiative may be issued regarding Libya." All of this confirms that Turkey is implementing American policies in Libya and nothing else.
When Sarraj was unable to control Sirte and Al-Jufra due to the cessation of Turkish support—despite his insistence on storming them to topple Haftar (which he would have achieved had support not stopped)—he was placed under pressure to accept a ceasefire and negotiate with the other party. Consequently, he announced on September 16, 2020, that he would submit his resignation at the end of October to embarrass Erdogan. In a speech broadcast on official Libyan television on September 16, 2020, he said: ("I announce to everyone my sincere desire to hand over my duties no later than the end of October... in the hope that the dialogue committee will have completed its work and chosen a new presidential council and a head of government"). He acknowledged the pressure on him when he added: "The state of polarization has made all talks aimed at finding peaceful settlements arduous and extremely difficult," accusing unnamed parties of betting on the war option. He admitted that "his government has not been working in a normal or even semi-normal atmosphere since its formation and was exposed every day to conspiracies internally and externally." It is known that Sarraj assumed the presidency of the Libyan government formed by Britain in Tunisia and moved to Tripoli immediately after signing the Skhirat Agreement in 2015; therefore, he does not resign without a motive from Europe, specifically Britain.
Erdogan received the news of Sarraj's intention to resign with annoyance, saying: ("He met Sarraj last week in Istanbul... of course, the occurrence of such a development and receiving such news after that (meeting) was unfortunate for us"). He pointed out that "meetings between Turkish delegations and the Government of National Accord may take place during the coming week... through these meetings, God willing, we will turn the matter toward the desired direction"... (Anadolu and Reuters, September 18, 2020). Ultimately, Sarraj retracted his resignation. Al Jazeera reported on October 30, 2020: (The head of the Libyan Presidential Council, Fayez al-Sarraj, announced today, Friday, his response to calls urging him to reverse his decision to resign from his position at the end of October. This came in a statement by Ghalib al-Zaqla’i, spokesman for Sarraj, posted on his Twitter page and quoted by the official Libya channel via its verified Facebook account... Al Jazeera, October 30, 2020). Europe was forced to agree to his retraction of the resignation to appear as though it had not submitted to Erdogan, but rather that it was its opinion as well. Therefore, the same source added: (German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas requested today, Friday, that Sarraj continue to perform his duties throughout the duration of the Libyan dialogue. This came during a phone call between Maas and Sarraj, during which they discussed developments in Libya, according to a statement published by the Libyan government via Facebook. The German minister said during the call that Sarraj staying in his post is "important" to ensure continuity in leading the Libyan government during this stage... Al Jazeera, October 30, 2020).
Thus, instead of Sarraj embarrassing Erdogan with his resignation, he was forced to retract it! Nevertheless, even after Sarraj retracted it, Erdogan contacted him to repeat that his decision to resign was incorrect! The Turkish website Haber7 reported on November 7, 2020 (from diplomatic sources that "Erdogan told Sarraj that the resignation decision he took was not correct, and this decision would contribute to changing the balance in favor of parties hostile to the Libyan people...").
As for the Russian intervention, it was with American approval, as it is carried out in coordination with Turkey. Russia is trying to take a neutral stance between the two parties and appears as if it is working as a mediator, even though it sent forces to support Haftar—though it claimed it did not send forces, but they are forces from the Russian security company Wagner linked to President Putin! It does not want to cut its ties with the Sarraj government so that it has influence over it to play its role and participate in the negotiations over Libya. For this reason, Mikhail Bogdanov, the personal envoy of the Russian President to the Middle East and Africa, stated: ("Moscow is in contact with all influential international players, including Turkey, based on taking into account its special relations with the Tripoli authorities"). He praised Russian-Turkish cooperation in Libya, as he "considered" that the initiative announced by the Russian and Turkish presidents last January 13, 2020, had a positive role in the conflict parties' declaration of a ceasefire, which provided the appropriate background for holding the Berlin Conference... (Al-Ahram, July 20, 2020).
From here came the American demand, through Secretary of State Pompeo on June 10, 2020, for ("the immediate ceasefire in Libya, calling for an end to all foreign interventions in Libya and a return to the negotiating table"). He said, "The agreement of the Government of National Accord and the Libyan National Army (Haftar's army) to return to the United Nations security talks is a very good and positive first step. What is required now is to start rapid negotiations in good faith to implement a ceasefire and resume the UN-led Libyan political talks"... (Sky News, June 10, 2020). America welcomed the recent agreement in which the two parties announced their acceptance of the ceasefire. Secretary of State Pompeo announced on October 26, 2020, that ("the ceasefire agreement in Libya is a brave step and all foreign fighters must leave Libya within 90 days in line with the agreement, and he added, we support the transfer of power in Libya to new executive authorities to prepare for elections"). The UN Support Mission in Libya announced on October 23, 2020, that "the two parties to the conflict signed a permanent ceasefire agreement after five days of talks at the United Nations... (Reuters, October 23, 2020). America is intervening diplomatically and politically directly in Libya in the name of the United Nations to take hold of the reins and pull the rug out from under the feet of Europe, specifically Britain.
Because what is happening in Libya is a political conflict interspersed with military actions, there has been a race to hold meetings to bring the Libyan parties together for dialogue and agreement—rather, to sign dictates. Britain held three rounds in the Moroccan city of Bouznika for the so-called Libyan dialogue between the delegations of the High Council of State in Tripoli and the Tobruk House of Representatives. The first round was held on September 6-10, 2020, the second round on October 2-6, 2020, and the third round on November 5, 2020. The delegations of the two parties signed a draft agreement regarding the criteria for choosing sovereign positions. It was clear that Britain was behind these meetings through its agents. The dialogue concerned finding consensus to implement Article 15 of the Skhirat Agreement in Morocco signed on December 17, 2015. On behalf of the Libyan government in Tripoli, the head of the High Council of State delegation, Fawzi al-Aqab, signed the minutes of the agreement, and on behalf of the Tobruk parliament, it was signed by the head of the parliament delegation, Yusuf al-Aqouri, in the outskirts of the capital, Rabat. Article 15 in its first paragraph indicates that "the House of Representatives shall consult with the State Council to reach consensus on the occupants of the leadership positions for the following sovereign positions: Governor of the Central Bank of Libya, President of the Audit Bureau, President of the Administrative Control Authority, President of the Anti-Corruption Authority, President and members of the High National Elections Commission, President of the Supreme Court, and the Attorney General." The second paragraph of the article states that "it requires the approval of two-thirds of the members of the House of Representatives for these positions." The two dialogue parties had met for the first round between September 6 and 10 last year. They reached a comprehensive agreement on the mechanism for assuming sovereign positions and the resumption of sessions to complete the procedures regarding the agreement and its implementation.
Then America went to scramble all the papers through the Acting UN Envoy Stephanie Williams, an American diplomatic figure. She called for holding Libyan dialogue sessions parallel to what happened in Bouznika under the slogan "Libya First." On November 9, 2020, a round of direct negotiations between the conflict parties in Libya was launched in Tunisia with the participation of 75 Libyan political figures chosen by her under UN auspices. The dialogue team consists of deputies, members of the High Council, notables, and representatives of the three regions: Tripoli, Cyrenaica, and Fezzan. Williams said on the evening of November 15, 2020: ("The round of direct Libyan dialogue in Tunisia ended with very positive results and a new round will be held via the internet after a week. The positive results are embodied in setting the date for holding elections, defining the competencies of the executive authority, and the conditions for candidacy for the Presidential Council and the government. The participants in the Libyan dialogue reached consensus on the seventh day of discussions in three basic files: the first is setting the date for elections on December 24, 2021, coinciding with an important date for Libyans, which is the country's independence in 1951... the competencies of the executive authority and the conditions for candidacy for the Presidential Council were defined, as it will have simple responsibilities including working on national reconciliation and will consist of three members representing the South, East, and West regions... as for the third file upon which the participants agreed, it is embodied in the specialty of the government which will be limited to providing services to the Libyan people such as water, electricity, etc. The Presidential Council and the government will be separate structures in their work, and those chosen for these positions will work for a short period and will be technocrats 'not affiliated with parties'... there is still a lot of work to be done... ten years of conflict cannot be solved in one week... the participants agreed to meet within a week via video technology to determine the mechanisms for selecting a legal committee and defining the constitutional basis for the elections, which will be a sovereign matter"... Anadolu, November 16, 2020). She completely ignored the Skhirat Agreement, as if she were working from scratch when she said "ten years of conflict cannot be solved in one week." She is examining all files anew to unofficially cancel the Skhirat Agreement and reduce the importance of British influence to end it permanently if possible or place it under control if she cannot eliminate it.
The Acting UN Envoy Stephanie Williams threatened those obstructing the dialogue with sanctions, saying: ("Those who try to provide money to the participants in the dialogue will be classified as obstructers, and an investigation will be opened into information about paying bribes and buying votes"). She pointed out that "there is a code of conduct regarding the interference of corrupt political money" and said "the proposal to exclude participating figures from positions did not pass, as the percentage reached 61% and 75% is required for consensus"... (Asharq Al-Awsat, November 17, 2020). She acts as a representative of American policy under the title of Acting UN Envoy. America itself supported her decision through the US House of Representatives, where the House voted to approve the "Libya Stabilization Act." The law reminds ("of the importance of the UN-led talks regarding Libya... and the project calls for imposing sanctions on any person or entity that unlawfully exploits oil resources or Libyan financial institutions, in addition to emphasizing the accountability of those complicit in human rights violations... Sky News, November 19, 2020).
Negotiations took place between the delegations of the Joint Libyan Military Committee (5+5) emerging from the Berlin Conference track to implement the ceasefire under the supervision of the American Acting UN Envoy Stephanie. On November 4, 2020, she announced reaching consensus on the terms of the agreement and said: ("12 items to implement the ceasefire, most notably the formation of a sub-military committee to supervise the return of all foreign forces 'to their countries' and the withdrawal of the forces of both parties from Sirte and Al-Jufra. Under the agreement signed in Geneva on October 23, 2020, a period of 90 days was set for all foreign forces to leave Libyan territory"... Reuters, October 23, 2020). Erdogan said, ("We do not know if mercenaries like Wagner will withdraw from Libya within three months or not"... Reuters, October 23, 2020). He says this while he is coordinating with Russia in Libya! And America does not pressure Russia to withdraw these forces and others until America achieves its goals in Libya and the region as it did in Syria.
In conclusion, briefly based on what we have explained and detailed, it is as follows:
a- The Sarraj government wanted to use Turkish support to achieve the European project, specifically the British one, to break Haftar's power and control his areas of influence, especially Sirte and Al-Jufra. However, Turkey employed the support for Sarraj for the benefit of the American project. As soon as Sarraj's forces reached Sirte and Al-Jufra, Turkey stopped its support and asked Sarraj to accept a ceasefire and return to negotiations and dialogue with the other party, which it considers rebellious and illegitimate! Sarraj was left helpless, so he wanted to embarrass Erdogan by announcing his resignation. However, Turkey pressured him to prevent that. When Europe found that Turkish pressure had increased on Sarraj, and so as not to appear submissive to Erdogan's pressure, it showed that Sarraj's retraction of his resignation was what it wanted, because it is in the interest of Britain and Europe for Sarraj to continue, even though it was the one behind his resignation!
b- These dialogues are artificial, fabricated by the active major powers so that the country remains a hostage to these powers to solve its problems or complicate them and force the parties to implement them so they can extend their influence. Otherwise, they are not for solving the problem correctly; the Skhirat Agreement speaks to that. Britain immediately formed the Sarraj government upon its implementation. Britain tried in the Bouznika meetings in Morocco held recently to work on implementing other items of the Skhirat Agreement. However, American diplomacy, represented by Williams working under the title of Acting UN Envoy, held parallel dialogue meetings between the two parties to consolidate the ceasefire in Geneva and Ghadames in Libya, and then in Tunisia to agree on holding elections after a year. Thus, America is using all its tools to make the mission of American diplomacy succeed so it can pull the rug out from under Britain's feet and manage and direct the conflict as it wants.
c- The active competing major powers, America and Britain, will obstruct each other's projects until one fails the other's project and succeeds in its own. Thus, it is unlikely for these countries to find a solution that provides security and safety for the Libyan people. Even if elections take place, they will not result in a final secure solution; rather, the conflict will continue until America or Europe manages to gain influence in Libya, and the Libyans will be the fuel for this conflict! It was imperative for the people of Libya to reject all these conspiracies and not be led behind this country or that, or behind this agent or that agent. They should work to take the reins of power from those hands and hand them over to pure, clean hands—the hands of the sincere, politically aware sons of the Ummah—and work to prepare Libya to be part of an Islamic state that includes all the lands of Islam, which is the Rightly Guided Khilafah (Caliphate) on the method of Prophethood, which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave glad tidings of:
ثُمَّ تَكُونُ خِلَافَة عَلَى مِنْهَاجِ النُّبُوَّةِ
"Then there will be a Khilafah on the method of Prophethood."
10th of Rabi’ al-Akhir, 1442 AH November 25, 2020 AD