Big-Picture Outlook
The military track continues to move forward while political efforts lag behind. A high-profile meeting between the eastern and western Chiefs of Staff this week indicates that both sides continue to take the process seriously, while an anticipated agreement facilitated by the United Nations failed to materialise. Meanwhile, the south of the country continues to face a low-level insurgency as the LNA prepares its response.
Major Events This Week
- Government of National Unity (GNU) Chief of Staff Salah al-Namroush and Libyan National Army (LNA) Chief of Staff Khalid Haftar met in the city of Sirte to discuss military unification. The talks were reportedly positive, with both sides agreeing to increase communication and conduct joint military exercises in the south at the end of the summer.
- The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) held another round of its 4+4 talks, also known as the "mini-table", in Tunis between representatives of the GNU, LNA, High Council of State (HCS), and House of Representatives (HoR). The UNSMIL had previously stated that the parties would sign an agreement on election law, but no agreement was signed this week. Instead, negotiations continued over the "remaining outstanding issues" that the UNSMIL had claimed were resolved last week.
- The Southern Liberation Room, led by Baraka Wardako, reportedly attacked an LNA checkpoint in Fezzan. LNA Deputy Commander Saddam Haftar subsequently travelled to Sabha and met with southern-based LNA commanders, with an LNA counter-attack appearing likely.
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