US threats of sanctions aimed at breaking the political deadlock
LIBYA – An analytical report by Middle East Online has examined Washington’s threat of punitive measures against parties obstructing Libya’s political transition, suggesting the warnings may represent an attempt to step up pressure for unifying institutions and ending division.
The report, whose analysis was followed by Al-Marsad, said Massad Boulos, US President Donald Trump’s senior adviser for Arab and African affairs, had warned against exploiting the transitional phase for personal gain at the expense of a political settlement.
Resolution 2174 and support for the UN process
The report argued that Boulos’s remarks point to a possible escalation of US pressure on parties holding up a settlement, with sanctions kept as one of the available options alongside support for the efforts facilitated by the United Nations mission.
It said the warnings go beyond encouraging dialogue between rival forces to signalling consequences that could reach those who undermine political initiatives, citing UN Security Council Resolution 2174, which allows spoilers to be sanctioned.
The report said relying on the resolution gives the prospect of sanctions an international legal basis and, according to the analysis, could pave the way for a shift from political and diplomatic warnings to direct measures as division persists and agreement on managing the transitional phase remains elusive.
Challenges of enforcing sanctions and forming a new authority
The report noted that the effectiveness of the US approach will depend on Washington’s willingness to turn threats into practical steps and its ability to deal with the conflicting interests of Libya’s political and military forces.
It concluded that the challenge is not limited to agreeing on unifying state institutions, but also includes reaching an understanding on the structure and powers of the new authority and ensuring it does not become another interim phase that reproduces divisions.
