Key facts
- US envoy Massad Boulos is leading an initiative to unify Libya's divided institutions.
- The initiative faces resistance from factions, particularly concerning proposed leadership roles for the Haftar family and Prime Minister Dbeibah.
- Protesters in Misrata have labeled the US efforts a 'suspicious deal'.
- Saddam Haftar, son of Khalifa Haftar, has been reportedly proposed to lead the Presidential Council.
- Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah's potential continued role is politically sensitive due to public dissatisfaction with services.
US envoy Massad Boulos's efforts to unify Libya's fragmented institutions are facing significant resistance, with several factions criticizing the initiative, dubbed the 'Boulos initiative'. Boulos, a senior adviser to Donald Trump, has engaged with rival leaders, including Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah in Tripoli and Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi, as well as other influential figures. Despite repeated descriptions of 'unification efforts', a clear roadmap has not emerged since the adoption of a unified budget in April.
Tensions have escalated due to reports that Washington is pushing for an agreement where Saddam Haftar, son of Khalifa Haftar, would lead Libya's Presidential Council. This proposal has been met with strong opposition, particularly from Misrata, a key commercial and military hub, whose business and military elites have historically resisted the Haftar family. Younes al-Salabi, spokesman for the Misrata Military Council, stated that Khalifa Haftar's alleged responsibility for current events is sufficient reason to reject any solution involving his family.
Further opposition comes from rebel leader Mohamed Wardago, whose group is waging an insurgency against Haftar's forces. He echoed concerns that Haftar and his sons should not hold key sovereign positions. Analyst Jalel Harchaoui confirmed that Saddam Haftar's potential appointment is a central element of the proposed deal, which could significantly expand the Presidential Council's influence.
The initiative also faces challenges regarding Prime Minister Dbeibah's potential continued role. While the US maintains contact with Dbeibah, his position is politically sensitive due to public dissatisfaction with deteriorating public services, including power cuts and worsening living conditions. Protesters have repeatedly called for his resignation and the replacement of all political institutions through elections. Harchaoui suggests that a deal involving both Saddam Haftar and Dbeibah could grant them national legitimacy and allow them to remain in power without elections for an extended period.
While elections are an official UN priority, they have not been a prominent stated objective of the Boulos initiative. Factions like Misrata emphasize the need for constitutional referendums and elections, and recent protests in Tripoli have called for the dissolution of all political institutions in favor of an electoral process.