During a meeting between Qatari and French diplomats on Tuesday in Paris, Qatar reiterated its support for the unity and stability of Libya.
Paul Soler, the French President’s special envoy to Libya, and Mohammed Al Khulaifi, Qatar’s assistant foreign minister for regional affairs, reportedly discussed the issue.
Qatar’s support for “the political track in Libya” and “any nonviolent options that protect Libya’s unity, stability, and sovereignty” was emphasised by Al Khulaifi.
Only a few weeks had passed since combat between armed groups with ties to the Presidency Council broke out in the towns of Tripoli and Misrata. According to Reuters, the confrontation claimed the lives of at least 13 persons, three of whom were civilians.
The nation has experienced numerous outbreaks of violence as a result of the ongoing political upheaval.
Rising hostilities have been observed in Libya between the recently installed rival government of Fathi Bashagha and the UN-backed Government of National Unity (GNU), which is headed by Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Dbeibeh.
After a protracted period of unrest following the ouster of former dictator Muammar Gaddafi, the GNU took control last year. Qatar has long advocated for a political solution to the ongoing unrest and supported the generally acknowledged administration.
The Dbeibeh administration was supposed to rule until the December 2021 presidential elections. However, the High National Election Committee moved the date a few days before the polls to January 24, this year (HNEC).
Then, in February, Bashagha took office after being chosen by the House of Representatives in the east. As a result, there is now a political rift between the two competing governments, and Dbeibeh has steadfastly refused to leave.
Later, as Bashagha attempted to seize control of Tripoli on May 17, tensions in Libya grew. After violent clashes, Bashagha was ejected from the capital city within a short period of time.
Warlord General Khalifa Haftar, who oversaw a large attack to drive out the GNU during 2019 and 2020, is thought to have an alliance with Bashagha. After Turkey’s military intervention, the war was over.
More than 200,000 people have reportedly been internally displaced as a result of the fighting in Libya, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. There are about 1.3 million people who require humanitarian aid.