(Author: Libyan Gazette Editorial Staff)
Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj of the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) said he was open to holding a meeting with Khalifa Haftar, despite the rogue general’s recent ambush on the oil ports.
Haftar’s takeover of the oil ports is the latest power struggle between his militia and forces loyal to the GNA, putting Libya in greater risk of falling into a full fledged civil war.
The House of Representatives, which backs Haftar, gave the GNA a vote of “no confidence” and Haftar has refused to work with the GNA to integrate his forces into a unified Libyan army.
Many are concerned that the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG). who were guarding the oil ports, might attempt to retaliate to take back control.
“I am willing to talk with anyone for the sake of solving the problems of Libyans,” Sarraj said to reporters at the annual UN General Assembly in New York. “There are many obstacles of course and one of them is trying to have a unified army under [the control] of the political body.”
Oil production and exports in Libya have been interrupted by civil unrest and military clashes since the beginning of the Libyan uprising in 2011, costing the country its main source in revenue.
Martin Kobler, the UN’s Special Envoy, said to reporters, “the oil question should unite and not divide. This is a longish process. Armed groups don’t disappear because of a piece of paper. There have to be a strong institutions.”