Libyan groups discuss future governance

On Wednesday, the Libyan Political Dialogue will meet in Tunis to discuss the structure of the country’s post-conflict government. Summit organisers have excluded foreign and UN diplomats, reflecting growing suspicion of international intervention among Libya’s competing political interests.

Libya is currently split into three competing bodies: the Tripoli-based General National Congress, the Tobruk-based House of Representatives and the UN-backed Government of National Accord.

Wednesday’s meeting may see a return to the UN-backed Presidency Council 1+2 format, which advocates installing a single Libyan president assisted by two deputies. House of Representatives President Ageela Saleh, who has consistently challenged the members of the current Presidency Council, now supports the initiative. Saleh may aim to exploit the declining influence of the current UN-backed Presidency Council head, Faiez Serraj.

The more contentious issue on Wednesday’s agenda will be electing Libya’s military leader. The House of Representatives support anti-Islamist strongman General Khalifa Haftar but, unsurprisingly, the Islamist General National Congress strongly opposes this. Haftar’s role in post-conflict Libya is one of the major impediments to a coherent government deal, one that’s unlikely to be resolved at Wednesday’s meeting.