BENGHAZI, Libya – Senior American and Libyan legislators met Wednesday to exchange perspectives on the United Nations’ initiative to resolve the north African country’s prolonged political crisis.
Fawzi Al-Nuwairi, First Deputy Speaker of Libya’s House of Representatives, welcomed US diplomat Jeremy Brandt in Benghazi, where the two officials broadly discussed national reconciliation efforts championed by UN Envoy Abdoulaye Bathily.
“All avenues to pull Libya out of turmoil were explored, including requisite conditions for credible democratic elections,” said Abdullah Belihaq, spokesperson for the Libyan parliament, regarding the meeting’s agenda.
In November 2023, Special Representative Abdoulaye Bathily unveiled a roadmap for a Libyan “Quintet Summit” involving key power brokers, hoping to break the political logjam hampering elections.
Addressing the UN Security Council last December, the envoy admonished some Libyan leaders for “paying lip service” to conflict resolution and “hiding behind conditions” to avoid the proposed talks.
With minimal progress over 14 months, Bathily ’s initiative continues to court skeptical audiences both at home and abroad.