Belaid: Tetteh’s moves open a new window for a settlement
LIBYA – Political analyst Moataz Belaid has said the tour by Hanna Tetteh, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, between eastern and western Libya, and her meetings with officials after the extension of the UN mission’s mandate, come amid what he described as positive signs that could support the chances of reaching a political settlement that ends division and unifies state institutions.
Military, political and economic understandings over a year
In comments to Al-Ain News, Belaid said Tetteh is now operating on firmer ground than in earlier stages because of what he described as understandings reached over the past year in the military, political and economic spheres, which he said help create the conditions for moving the political process forward.
He said the public welcome for the envoy’s moves reflects Libyans’ desire to overcome difficult living and economic conditions, much of which he linked to the continuing government division and the multiple centres of spending and management of public funds.
Unifying institutions and the executive authority could limit duplicated spending and channel public resources through a single route towards citizens’ needs, he added.
International positions and the 4+4 mini-committee agreement
Belaid addressed the issue of holding to account those obstructing a settlement, saying this approach had emerged in countries’ positions during the last two Security Council sessions — both the session that extended the mission’s mandate and the UN briefing that preceded it.
According to his reading, the United States, France, Britain and Russia called for implementing the “4+4” mini-committee agreement and dealing firmly with obstructing parties, including possible sanctions and holding those responsible for obstruction to account when necessary.
He said the convergence of the major international powers’ positions on ending division was an encouraging sign for forming a unified government, preparing for elections and restoring institutional stability.
Sanctions and foreign interference among pressure tools
Belaid said the Security Council and the UN mission have, in his assessment, tools to pressure obstructers, including adding those responsible for blocking a settlement to sanctions lists and holding them to account, confronting foreign interference and links that help perpetuate corruption and division, and taking deterrent action against those who undermine efforts to reach a solution.
The fact that the Libyan crisis has been on the international agenda for many years, alongside open crises in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, gives the current moves, in his view, added importance and an opportunity to tackle the file, he noted.
Expectations of a unified government and possible elections by end-2027
Belaid said current conditions appear more favourable than before, with citizens’ aspirations, the positions of parts of the political elite and international consensus converging on the need for a comprehensive settlement.
He said the scenarios being discussed lean towards forming a unified government as a key step to improve economic stability and prepare for elections, which, in his estimate, could be held by the end of 2027.
He stressed that differences over the names put forward to head the government do not negate a growing desire for a consensus formula to end the duplication of executive authority, arguing that such a formula is closer than it was years ago.
The choice of prime minister will depend on agreement among the parties and the balance of their positions, he explained, since a candidate could win the backing of some political forces and face objections from others, making a final understanding a condition for settling the next leadership.
Belaid said he expected the new government to be lean, with fewer ministries and portfolios, limited to the core ministries needed to run the state and manage the transitional period until elections are held.
