Libya’s Prime Minister Fayez Serraj has called on the African Union and United Nations to consolidate their efforts in order to end the political and security crisis in the North African nation.
Following a discussion with officials from both institutions in the capital, Tripoli, the prime minister’s office released a statement confirming the political and security situation was the main agenda. In the statement, Serraj, whose government is backed by the United Nations, stressed on the urgency of a return to civility, strengthening Libya’s institutions and future elections, which involve peaceful handovers of power.
Serraj’s sentiments come in the wake of reports that military commander Khalifa Haftar’s army has taken control of about two-thirds of the country which include several border crossings and major oil installations. Haftar, whose critics claim he has no intention of running the country in a democratic way, is now seen to be in a strong position to be part of the process to reach a political settlement.
Libya has been embroiled in an on-and-off civil war since Muammar Gaddafi was toppled by a popular uprising in 2011 in a wave of revolt across Arab nations known as the “Arab Spring” that started in 2010. The crisis has seen the country become a hub for the passage of illegal immigrants, weapons and drugs.
