Libya does not end with UNSMIL interference

The head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Ján Kubiš, has met several Libyan officials since Wednesday. On the menu, the role of the European Union (EU) in the future of Libya, emigration, and the presence of Russian mercenaries.

Many EU officials had lined up in Tripoli to offer their "support" to the Libyan Government of National Unity (GNU) since March 24. However, it seems that Abdel Hamid Dbeibah's gaze is focused on Turkey and Russia. It is therefore the turn of Ján Kubiš to intervene in favor of Europe, in order to recreate a status quo that would reassure them. The expected balance, presumably, would not require any donation from the UN.

New friends from Tripoli

First, since March 24, no less than four foreign ministers and two European prime ministers have visited Libya. Even the President of the European Council visited Tripoli on April 4. Faced with the contradiction between the priorities of European countries, the Dbeibah government had started its own diplomatic networking elsewhere. In fact, neither Turkey nor Russia is asking for any compensation for their partnership with the GNU. As European countries beg for a share of Libyan oil and demand control of emigration from the Libyan side, among others.

Russia and Turkey, they have probably done a lot more for Libya in a month than the EU in ten years. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan first ensured Russian collaboration in maintaining the ceasefire between Tripoli and Toubrouk. Ankara has also offered 150 doses of the Covid-000 vaccine to Libya. And, finally, Turkey pledged to support the reconstruction of Libyan infrastructure, destroyed by Western bombardments during the civil war. These decisions were taken jointly during Abdel Hamid Dbeibah's visit to Ankara.

Russia has completely defused the tensions between East and West Libyans. In addition, the Kremlin promised a military alliance with the GNU, as well as an urgent intervention in the resolution of the energy deficit in Libya.

Multiple speeches, one thing in common

The EU has not really sponsored the semblance of unity Libya is showing today. And although the UN initiated this process, it has not built anything on it. The United States has secured a nice commission for its temporary neutrality in the Libyan dossier - understand, Libyan NOC oil. It is this lack of reciprocity that pushed Dbeibah to look elsewhere. Above all, the Libyan Prime Minister is looking for allies ready to invest in development projects that would last beyond the December elections.

Currently, Libya has dozens of agreements with Russia and Turkey. Since Wednesday, therefore, Ján Kubiš has been rushed to Libya in an emergency. He held a series of meetings with Libyan officials, including Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush.

However, the UN official has offered nothing advantageous to Libya. Yet another reaffirmation of "the need to repatriate without delay all the mercenaries." Has taken place. Ján Kubiš also congratulated Libya for “the inclusion of women in the march towards democracy and prosperity. ", did he declare. The head of UNSMIL also offered "UN assistance in" the voluntary repatriation of irregular migrants and their resettlement. ".

As if this platitude was not yet ad hoc enough, Kubiš concluded Thursday with a visit to al-Sikka in Tripoli. He is said to have met Musa al-Koni, the vice-president of the Presidential Council. He is said to have insisted during the secret meeting on the UN's wish that Tripoli intervene with Haftar, so that the latter sets up a partial disengagement of Wagner's Russian paramilitaries. Knowing that Kubiš had personally secured Haftar's inclusion in the peace process, why would he involve al-Koni in this matter?