After months of discussions on the Libyan National Conference and the political possibilities it may bring to solving the country’s crisis by the end of this month, it seems that the conference is likely to be delayed until after the holy month of Ramadan.
An informed source told 218 News that delaying the conference date, which was set to be held by the end of March, comes as a result of the Libyan factions’ disagreement on a number of issues, including the Libyan National Army (LNA) leadership, the awaited presidential and parliamentarian elections and the agenda of the conference itself.
On 16 March, deputy head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) for political affairs Stephenie Williams arrived at Jafara district to meet with the its elders and officials and discuss Libya’s national conference. She also visited Ghadames city, northwestern Libya, and discussed several issues with its mayor, Jamal al-Aswad, including the city’s security level.
This visit raised hopes that the conference was likely to be held on time; however, in statements to 218 News, Aswad denied that he was informed with holding the conference any time soon in the city. Further, no hotel reservations for any officials or diplomats were found in the city’s major hotels until the end of March.
All these signs indicate that the conference is not expected this month as was announced earlier.
Last week, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte declared that Italy will organize the Libyan National Conference by the end of March, to bring all Libyan factions together.
Conted said the conference, which will be organized with UNSMIL, is an important step to reach a political settlement in Libya. He added that it will be different from the November Palermo Conference in 2018, as it will “put pressure on Libyan factions” to declare their commitment to end Libyan crisis.
