Libyan political analyst Moatasem Al-Shaari stated that the western region’s marginalization of eastern and southern Libya in political and economic matters, coupled with the absence of a genuine will to move toward presidential and parliamentary elections, and the procrastination of the Dbeibeh government and the Presidential Council in expediting this due process, are factors that have pushed some parties to hint at the option of self-rule.
Marginalization and Motives for Hinting at Self-Rule
In exclusive statements to the Sputnik agency, Al-Shaari explained that these parties consider self-rule an option that, from their perspective, might be the only solution to save Cyrenaica and the south from the “hateful centralization” they believe impedes development and justice in resource distribution.
Friday Demonstrations and International Pressure Messages
He indicated that the Friday demonstrations served as a message of pressure directed at the United Nations mission, the international community, and the countries involved in Libyan affairs, to push them toward adopting a clear and specific electoral path. He considered that these protests would not have occurred were it not for what he described as the “UN mission’s procrastination” in reaching a binding roadmap that leads to elections and a political solution.
Public Discourse and its Impact on the Political Scene
He added that the prevailing public discourse is now directly influencing the political scene, as the international community views it as a genuine tool of pressure that demonstrates the level of tension and the desire to end the state of political deadlock.
Potential Scenarios and the Continuation of the Crisis
Al-Shaari considered it likely that if the situation persists, the option of self-rule in eastern and southern Libya could transform from a mere political gesture into an actual popular demand. Despite the risks this poses to the country’s unity and stability, this possibility remains in the absence of serious solutions to the ongoing political crisis.