London – The Financial Times reported Wednesday that Massad Boulos, adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump on Middle East and African affairs, said in an interview published today that he is seeking to broker a power-sharing agreement in Libya between the rival governments in the country’s east and west. He said he is working to unify the country’s divided institutions under a single authority and is encouraging U.S. oil companies to invest in Libya after years of unsuccessful UN-led efforts.
The newspaper added that Boulos, a Lebanese-American businessman and father-in-law of Tiffany Trump, said Washington has been encouraging major U.S. oil firms to invest in Libya. He noted that ConocoPhillips and Chevron have already signed agreements with Libya in 2026. According to Boulos, Libya’s oil production could double to three million barrels per day by the end of the decade, which would place Libya among the world’s leading oil producers.
The Financial Times also quoted Claudia Gazzini, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group currently visiting eastern Libya, who said, “This is just wishful thinking.” She added, “There is no public discourse here in Benghazi about reconciliation with the other side or that it is time to move forward.”
She added that there is also opposition to consolidating power for the current authorities, as it would mean “no chance for political change anytime soon, no opportunity for elections, and no chance to change the government in the future.”