Libya’s Path to Unity: US and Regional Powers Seek Resolution 15 Years After Gaddafi « ABC NEWS NEPAL

Kathmandu— Fifteen years after the uprising that led to Muammar Gaddafi’s overthrow plunged Libya into civil strife, multiple international actors are now focused on ending the conflict and reuniting the North African nation. The United States, driven by commercial interests in Libya’s oil reserves, is leading a renewed push for unification alongside Qatar, Egypt, and Turkiye, all seeking to establish “One Libya” after over a decade of division between two competing administrations.

Gaddafi’s Fall and the Rise of Division

The Libyan uprising began during the Arab Spring in 2011, with protests erupting in Benghazi against Gaddafi’s four-decade rule. Violence escalated into a civil war, prompting a UN Security Council resolution authorizing international military intervention led by NATO forces to enforce a no-fly zone and protect civilians. This campaign ultimately aided rebels in seizing territory and led to Gaddafi’s capture and killing in October 2011.

Following Gaddafi’s death, a power vacuum emerged, fostering competition between various groups and their militias. Control of Libya fractured, with the UN-recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) based in Tripoli, led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dheibah, facing off against an eastern administration in Tobruk backed by Khalifa Haftar and his Libyan National Army (LNA).

US Initiative for a Unified Government

Washington is intensifying efforts to reunite Libya, contingent on both sides agreeing to form a single government. The US plan, spearheaded by Massad Boulous, proposes encouraging American investment in Libya’s oil fields if the rival governments cooperate, addressing concerns raised by the Libyan Central Bank regarding the country’s dire economic situation.

The proposal includes a power-sharing arrangement where Dheibah would continue as prime minister while Haftar’s son, Saddam Haftar, currently serving as army chief of the LNA, would assume the presidency. This initiative aims to create opportunities for US energy companies and address regional concerns such as irregular migration from North Africa to Europe.

Regional Powers Align on ‘One Libya’

Turkiye, which previously deployed troops in support of the GNU, is also actively mediating between the two sides and advocating for a unified Libya. Foreign Affairs Minister Hakan Fidan recently held meetings with Saddam Haftar in Ankara, as well as high-level talks with Dheibah and Khalifa Haftar in Tripoli and Benghazi.

Egypt has traditionally cooperated with Haftar’s Tobruk government and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi met with Haftar to discuss unification efforts. Qatar supports UN mediation channels and seeks stabilization led by Libyan parties, welcoming the unified national budget for 2026 alongside other nations.

Progress and Remaining Obstacles

There are indications that Haftar’s camp is receptive to the US plan; Saddam Haftar reportedly met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington D.C. in July. Experts attribute the signing of a unified national budget in April – the first in over a decade – as a positive sign stemming from ongoing mediation efforts.

Despite these developments, no formal talks or concrete steps toward forming a unified government have yet materialized.

While progress has been made through diplomatic engagement and economic incentives, significant challenges remain in bridging the divide between Libya’s rival administrations and establishing lasting stability.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.