UN Envoy Says LPA Not Set in Stone, Cancels Dialogue Meeting

Dec 13, 2016 | International actors

On 6 December, UN Envoy to Libya Martin Kobler told the UN Security Council (UNSC) that although the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) was ‘the only solution’ to the Libyan problem, its terms were ‘not set in stone’. This raises the possibility that the terms of the LPA may be renegotiated. Any reworking of the LPA will presumably favour General Khalifa Haftar given his increased political leverage since seizing and maintaining control over the oil crescent, not to mention his support from Egypt and Russia. Kobler presented a 6 point plan to the UNSC designed to help ensure the implementation of the LPA. He also raised concerns over the dangerous state of the Libyan economy. According to media reports, the UN Mission for Libya (UNSMIL) has postponed the next meeting between pro and anti-GNA political representatives of the Political Dialogue Group which was scheduled for 17 December.