French president Emmanuel Macron has been actively trying to reach a solution to the Libyan crisis by holding meetings with different parties and stand out as a mediator.
As a war erupted between the Libyan National Army (LNA) and the Government of national accord (GNA) on April 4, Macron received Prime Minister of the GNA Faiez al-Sarraj in Paris May 8, where he emphasized France’s rejection of battles in the capital.
Macron called for an “unconditional ceasefire,” and a few days later, the Élysée Palace announced that LNA Commander Khalifa Haftar will meet with the French president on Wednesday to discuss the recent escalations in Libya.
Haftar hopes he will return from Paris with further support for his military operation in Tripoli, despite the French constant denials that the Élysée takes any sides in Libya.
In an interview last week with French newspaper Le Figaro, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has denied his country supports or is biased to LNA.
“France has continuously supported Sarraj’s government. We have lent a great deal of support to the UN and with respect to security. He [Sarraj] knows this. I note that Interior Minister Fathi Bashaga, who regularly attacks France and denounces its alleged interference in the crisis, does not hesitate to spend time in Turkey. So, I don’t know where the interference is,” Le Drian said.
Le Drian added he didn’t talk with Haftar regarding his military offensive on Tripoli and that he told him that “there could be no military solution” for the Libyan conflict.
When asked if the March 19 meeting in Benghazi between him and Haftar discussed any military operations, Le Drian said “not at all. Nor was that the point of my visit.”
“I went to reaffirm France’s support – and President Macron’s support – for the Abu Dhabi agreement, the transition process agreed to early this year, which is supposed to lead to elections. I repeatedly stressed to Fayez al-Sarraj, the head of the national unity government, and to Khalifa Haftar, the head of the Libyan National Army, that there could be no military solution. Following those two conversations, I observed that contrary to our expectations, the situation was deadlocked. Both Sarraj and Haftar were hesitating to take conclusive steps,” he continued.
