Diplomacy Efforts by Russia, Egypt, Algeria Continue

Jan 3, 2017 | International actors

Egypt and Algeria have intensified the pace of diplomacy with Libyan actors. Several meetings have taken place between various political players in both countries. Haftar’s visit to Algeria on 18 December coincided with that of Libyan Muslim Brotherhood leader Ali Sallabi. The two are understood to have had a discreet meeting together. Sallabi is working with Algeria to facilitate a meeting between Islamists, Haftar, and Qadhafi regime loyalists. The aim is to find a political settlement between these rival actors. HoR President Ageelah Saleh also spent most of last week in Egypt in intense talks. Last month, some Libyan political actors met in Cairo and issued demands including the amendment of the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA).

Last week, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov called the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) ineffective, and criticised UN Envoy Martin Kobler for ‘favoring other political forces and excluding Haftar’. Gatilov insisted that Haftar must have a leadership role in a united Libya. Gatilov’s statement indicates strong Russian support for the House of Representatives (HoR) and Haftar. It follows two Moscow trips by Haftar and HoR President Ageelah Saleh respectively.