Delegations from Libya’s rival political institutions resumed negotiations in Morocco on Wednesday, aiming to resolve a prolonged political impasse and prevent the country from descending further into instability.
The North African nation has faced a decade of turmoil since its division in 2014 into two competing administrations—one based in the west (Tripoli) and the other in the east (Benghazi)—following the NATO-backed uprising that ousted Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
The latest talks, held in Bouznika near Morocco’s capital Rabat, involve Libya’s High Council of State, based in Tripoli, and the House of Representatives, headquartered in Benghazi. Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita opened the discussions by urging both sides to collaborate in preserving Libya’s unity and laying the groundwork for credible elections.
Focus on Inter-Libyan Dialogue
Bourita emphasized the importance of domestic dialogue, stating that international and regional conferences cannot substitute for discussions driven by Libyans themselves.
Efforts to achieve a political resolution have stagnated since the collapse of a planned December 2021 election, which was derailed by disputes over candidate eligibility.
Historical Divisions
The House of Representatives, initially elected in 2014 as Libya’s national parliament, was intended to oversee the country’s political transition for a four-year term. Under the 2015 Libyan Political Agreement signed in Morocco’s Skhirate, the High Council of State was established as a consultative chamber.
However, the House of Representatives later appointed a rival government, citing the expiration of the national unity government’s mandate. This move deepened Libya’s east-west divide, although the eastern-backed government wields limited power.
The renewed negotiations in Morocco represent another attempt to bridge the divisions and steer Libya toward political stability and eventual elections.