A chance for peace is opening up in Libya

(Baonghean.vn) - The opposing political forces in Libya have just reached a peace agreement, aiming to form a national unity government and end the fighting. This is considered a door opening a more stable future for Libya, in the context of the crisis in this country causing no small consequences for regional and international security.

After months of negotiations mediated by the United Nations, the internationally recognized Government of Libya and regional and local leaders signed a peace agreement aimed at popular reconciliation, emphasizing in particular the need to form a national unity government and hold new elections. However, both the United Nations and the European Union acknowledge that this is only the first stage of a long and difficult process. The recently signed document, although considered an important step forward on the road to peace, is missing one of the most important actors in the crisis: the Tripoli-based but internationally unrecognized National People's Congress (the former Libyan parliament). This political force participated in the peace agreement negotiations in the early stages, but refused to participate in the latest negotiations. The Tripoli-based parliament wants to make the changes it wants to a peace agreement. However, according to many analysts, many of the demands of the Tripoli National Assembly will be difficult for all parties to accept, especially the restoration of the powers of the Constitutional Court, the body that once decided to nullify the internationally recognized government in the East.

Libyan parties sign peace deal without Tripoli-based government (which is not internationally recognized). Photo: Internet.

A national unity government in Libya is of great significance to the people and the country. Four years after the overthrow of former President M. Gaddafi, many Libyans have experienced the effects of the coup and are beginning to regret the years of living under Gaddafi. This oil-rich country is facing a serious escalation of violence and political deadlock with the existence of two governments and two parliaments, in which the internationally recognized parliament operates in the eastern city of Tobruk and the opposition parliament operates in the capital Tripoli. A country almost divided into separate regions and violence for the benefit of each faction is certainly not the kind of democracy that the Libyan people expect. The conflict in Libya has led to a severe humanitarian crisis with at least 120,000 people forced to leave their homes, pushing the country into a state of food and medicine shortages, while the number of casualties due to violence is increasing. Security is always threatened because there is no army strong enough to guarantee order in the country. Security gaps and the strong rise of extremist Islamic factions have made Libya face countless difficulties. Libya is considered a place where the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) movement can establish its new strategic positions to expand its influence beyond the borders of Iraq and Syria. In fact, while Libyan factions are still disagreeing with each other about the formation of a national unity government, IS announced that it had captured the city of Sirte, in northern Libya. This terrorist organization published many photos on the Internet proving that it has taken control of the coastal city of Libya. The internationally recognized Libyan government in Tobruk has warned of the risk of IS taking over oil exploitation areas near Sirte.

Therefore, the only solution and the final way out for Libya is to end the civil war and establish a national unity government. A complete new government apparatus can open up a stable future for this North African country. And this is also what the people of this country are looking forward to.

From an international perspective, not only regional countries but also the European Union want that. The most obvious reason is that the crisis in Libya is putting Europe in an unprecedented immigration crisis, with a wave of migrants from Libya constantly pouring in. The most worrying thing is that among the migrants to Europe are IS fighters. Recently, Libyan government advisor Abdul Basit Haroun said that smugglers are hiding IS gunmen on boats filled with migrants, European police cannot distinguish who is from IS and who is a normal refugee. According to Mr. Haroun, this information is reliable because he has met with human trafficking boat owners in some North African regions. IS also manipulates human trafficking boat owners, allowing them to operate but requiring them to cut 50% of the profits for each human trafficking trip. On the boat, rebel groups often sit separately and appear fearless like other migrants. Libyan officials also warned that IS is planning attacks in Europe this year.

In conclusion, although it is considered that there are still many difficulties, a peace agreement between factions in Libya is also an optimistic sign for a new future for this country.

Thanh Huyen