10 September 24, 2017 News & Analysis Haftar meets with Caid Essebsi as adjusts Libya policy

Iman Zayat

Tunis

he first official visit by the commander of the (LNA), Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, to Tunisia reflect- Ted a significant adjustment of Tu- nis’s diplomatic strategy towards the Libyan crisis. The new approach, which seemed to take shape just a few months ago, reflected Tunisia’s de- cision to move away from almost exclusive support to the UN-rec- ognised Libyan Government of Na- tional Accord (GNA) led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj. Prior to his visit September 18, mutual suspicion seemed to mark the relationship with the Haftar camp. The battlefield gains of the LNA and lack of progress by the Sarraj government despite internation- al support have contributed to a change in Western attitude towards Haftar. Over the last two years, inter- national meetings on the Libyan issue took place in , notably negotiations between Libyan po- litical groups and meetings spon- sored by the . Since the appointment in November 2016 of Tunisian diplomat Slaheddine Jemmali as Arab League special envoy to Libya, Tunisia moved to- wards a mediation initiative that includes all Libyan belligerents. The first visit by Haftar to Tuni- sia was presented by media as an Thawing out. Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi (R) meeting with Libyan Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar at the Palace in Tunis, attempt to revive the Tunisian dip- on September 18. (Tunisian Presidency Press Service) lomatic initiative, which consists of bringing together the Libyan politi- himself as a civilian politician. The amend the Libyan political agree- nahda being part of Tunisia’s ruling In Libya, the head of the - cal rivals with the aim of reconcil- United States is yet to clearly enun- ment. The deal, which was signed coalition government. based House of Representatives ing positions to resolve the crisis. ciate its position about the Libyan in Skhirat, Morocco in December It was under Ennahda’s rule that (HoR), Aguila Saleh, stands ac- crisis. 2015, under the auspices of the Tunisia first sided with Libya’s Is- cused of stalling the political pro- The Libyan conflict, which has United Nations, was never fully lamists, supporting the former cess. In Tunisia, shadowy moves The new approach been raging since 2011, has taken a implemented. It has been criti- government of Khalifa al-Ghawil, by Ennahda have been raising eye- heavy toll on Tunisia, affecting the cised for keeping out key parties which was set up by the Islamist- brows. reflected Tunisia’s economy, tourism, security and in Libya, such as the supporters of dominated Fajr Libya militia in In a recent twist after Haftar’s decision to move away other sectors. the former regime and some of the 2014. visit, leaked pictures surfaced of from almost exclusive A recent study by the World large tribes in the south. Tunisia’s close relations with , the head of support to the Bank stated that the Libyan cri- Ghassan Salame, the UN’s envoy the Sarraj government have been , sitting next UN-recognised Libyan sis contributed 24% to the drop in for Libya, admitted September 20 a concern for Haftar, though the to Mohamed Sowan, head of the Tunisia’s economic growth from that the road map for peace in Lib- relations can partly be explained Justice and Development Party, Government of 2011-15. Smuggling, which con- ya wasn’t working and he unveiled by Tunisia’s key interests in the widely seen as the political wing of National Accord (GNA). stitutes an endemic problem in plans to revamp the Skhirat agree- western part of Libya, rather than the in Libya, Tunisia, has grown substantially ment to unify the country and pave the east, where Haftar’s LNA is the Imad al-Banani, a Muslim Brother- A statement by the office of -Tu since 2011, weighing much heavier the way for new elections. main military force. hood leader in Libya, and Libyan nisian President Beji Caid Essebsi on the sluggish economy. Tunisia However, the role Tunisia can In such an ambivalent context, activist Abdul Basit Igtet, who has said he and Haftar discussed “the harbours security concerns about play in changing the Skhirat agree- Tunisia’s efforts to keep a relatively presented himself as a candidate to principles and objectives of the ini- Islamic State (ISIS) activity in parts ment and resolving the Libyan con- equal distance from all Libyan ri- succeed Sarraj. tiative launched by Tunisia, with of Libya, despite it being driven out flict remains in question. The Haf- vals and to get more involved in The pictures prompted a political the engagement of and of Benghazi and Sirte. tar camp has generally perceived mediation may bear fruit despite uproar in Libya and Tunisia, with .” Tunis is to be the site September the Tunisian government as being attempts by parties in both coun- many questioning the purpose and Caid Essebsi stressed that the 26 of meetings between rival Liby- closer to the GNA and was not com- tries to obstruct a peaceful solution timing of the meeting. solution to the crisis “remains in an parties to discuss a formula to fortable with the Islamist party En- to the crisis. Libyan political activist Mo- the hands of the Libyan people” hammed Omar al-Warfali warned and explained that the role of Tu- against the repercussions of this nisia and neighbouring countries UN unveils plan to break Libya’s political stalemate alleged secret meeting and moves was limited to facilitating dialogue by Igtet. within the framework of coop- The Arab Weekly staff need the approval of Libya’s To- tional Army (LNA) in the east, met In Tunisia, Mohsen Nabti, leader eration and coordination with the bruk-based House of Representa- in July in . of the ’s Move- United Nations. tives (HoR). An HoR delegation A meeting in early September ment, described the meeting as In remarks following the meeting Tunis was expected to begin negotia- between the African Union, Sarraj, one in a series of “suspicious” with Caid Essebsi, Haftar said ter- tions with the Tripoli-based rival HoR President Aguila Saleh Issa moves by Ghannouchi. rorism in the North African coun- he United Nations has assembly. They are under pressure and Chairman of the High State Ennahda denied that such a try would soon be eradicated and launched a road map for to reach an agreement before De- Council Abdulrahman Asswehly meeting had taken place, with Is- that the LNA is “a powerful army.” a renewed international cember 17, when opponents of the convened in Brazzaville. lamist figure Rafik Abdessalem “We have heard a good word effort to break a political Skhirat deal say it expires. Less than a week later, Lon- saying that the leaked pictures dat- from the (Tunisian) president and stalemate in Libya. Salame must balance calls for don hosted a six-party ministerial ed to 2012. our vision is consistent with his vi- TGhassan Salame, the United Na- elections with the need to prepare meeting with foreign ministers of Whether taken in 2012 or in 2017, sion,” Haftar said. tions’ Libya envoy, set out an “ac- a legal framework in which a vote Britain, France, and the Unit- the pictures will put Tunisian Is- Libyan sources said, however, tion plan” that would amend the can take place. Elections would ed Arab Emirates and the US secre- lamists on notice against further the real reason for the visit might Skhirat peace deal. He said draft- require an electoral law, and pos- tary of state attending. involvement in the Libyan crisis. have been to meet with US Ambas- ing the plan would begin before a sibly a referendum, to endorse a Attempts to resolve the Libyan Any attempts on their part will not sador to Libya Peter Bodde, who is national conference is convened new constitution. crisis come amid intense European go unnoticed and are unlikely to temporarily based in Tunis. for key Libyan actors to join the France, Britain and Italy said efforts to stem illegal migration be tolerated as they were in years In a bid to break the stalemate, political process. they are fully on board with Sala- and strong competition over in- past. Such moves were denounced Washington is said to be putting Salame proposed reducing the me’s plans. volvement in Libya’s reconstruc- on several occasions by political pressure on both Haftar and Sarraj UN-backed Government of Na- There has been a flurry of dis- tion process. There is a growing players in the country as a form of to strike an agreement that could tional Accord’s Presidency Council jointed but intense diplomatic ac- fear in neighbouring countries of a “partisan parallel diplomacy” out- lead to presidential and parliamen- to three members and having it tivity in Libya in the past months. spillover effect, with experts warn- side the framework of the Tunisian tary in 2018. nominate a new transitional gov- Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al- ing that the Islamic State may re- state’s official diplomacy. Washington is also said to be ernment. Sarraj and Field Marshal Khalifa group in Libya after facing major seeking to persuade Haftar to aban- Changes to the 2015 deal would Haftar, who heads the Libyan Na- losses in Iraq and Syria. Iman Zayat is the Managing Editor don his military role and present of The Arab Weekly.