Talks between Libya’s eastern military commander, Khalifa Hafter, and the head of the U.N.-backed Libyan government, Fayez Sarraj, have made progress in reaching a deal to resolve the country’s political and economic crises, government officials say.
The leaders of the country’s two largest factions had previously fronted a 16-month standoff with one another that undermined diplomatic efforts to unify Libya – a country torn apart by factional fighting since 2011.
However, the two met face to face in Abu Dhabi this week, and one source close to Haftar said the talks produced an agreement to hold elections early next year.
They have also agreed on joint efforts to fight extremism and boost the economy.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday pressed Haftar to pledge support to the U.N.-backed government, and previously regional and Western powers have also pushed for the two faction leaders to discuss resetting the U.N.-mediated agreement.
The U.N. agreement led to the creation of Seraj’s Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli, and was a direct attempt to end the turmoil after the 2011 uprising against Muammar Gaddafi.
Commander Haftar is the front-runner for factions in eastern Libya that have so far rejected the GNA, they are the largest antagonists to Seraj’s Government and have forced him to struggle to expand his government’s power in Tripoli and beyond.
Tuesday’s meeting could be the pin that finally ends a stalemate between two leaders who have been competing on the tragically open-board of Libya since 2014.
However, experts have warned that any lasting deal would need backing from the numerous and powerful armed groups that have scuppered previous attempts to stabilise the oil-rich country.
There was no official statement as Tuesday’s meeting ended, or comment from the GNA side, according to Reuters.
Sources close to Haftar said he met Seraj one-on-one for two hours of talks they described as positive.
