Libya’s peace process is passing through a hard time but deputy prime minister Abdul Salam al-Badri says there is still room for agreement between the country’s warring factions.
Delegates for Libya’s internationally recognized government in Tobruk recalled its team from the United Nations peace talks with Tripoli, complaining about amendments to a draft agreement meant to end their conflict.
A deal was expected to be reached by 20 September for an agreement to have a national unity government after a rival administration took Tripoli in 2014 and infighting continues between respective militias.
“The dialogue is passing through a very hard time,” al-Badri told MaltaToday. “My hope, the way I see it, is that concessions are given and that we come to an agreement. There are very serious differences, but with the help of the international community they will pressurise the guys who are opposing peace, indirectly.”
Al-Badri was addressing a meeting held in Malta by the eastern National Oil Corporation, which has warned companies working with the Tripoli NOC that it will take them for legal arbitration if they don’t work with them.
The meeting was conspicuous by the absence of Libyan prime minister Abdullah al-Thinni, was stopped at Labraq airport by forces led by Khalifa Haftar, who have been fighting militias loyal to the Libya Dawn movement in Tripoli.
“Yes there are some security gaps here and there, but don’t forget that the country is fighting two or three serious wars. You are governing and ruling a country that is almost under a civil war,” he said of the tribal infighting between various militias.
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