Salih Joudeh, a member of the Libyan State Council, has issued a warning that Libya may be on the brink of another war if the current political impasse and worsening living conditions persist. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Joudeh stated that countries monitoring the situation in Libya are aware that continued instability could lead to an explosion. He expressed concerns about the ongoing political stalemate and its impact on the country's security and economy.
Joudeh specifically pointed to the actions of Khalifa Haftar, a powerful military leader in eastern Libya, as a major threat to stability. He warned that if Haftar continues to be given free rein, Libya may be pushed towards another war, especially with the influx of advanced weapons and drones. Joudeh also criticized the 4+4 committee's agreement, which aims to resolve the country's political crisis, saying it is not a viable solution.
Instead, Joudeh proposed an alternative solution, which involves holding a referendum on a new constitution, followed by parliamentary elections. The elected parliament would then choose the country's president. He emphasized that this approach would provide a more democratic and inclusive way forward for Libya. Joudeh also highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in the country, with many citizens facing prolonged power outages and water shortages.
The country's infrastructure is also suffering, with Joudeh noting that the Great Man-Made River, which supplies water to many parts of the country, has been affected by the power outages. This has led to the closure of factories and disruption of daily life. Furthermore, Joudeh expressed concern about the rise of criminal gangs and the deteriorating security situation, which he attributed to poverty and other factors.
Joudeh also criticized the international community, particularly the United Nations, for their handling of the Libyan crisis. He expressed disappointment that the UN's special envoy, Hanna Tetteh, has welcomed the 4+4 agreement, which Joudeh believes is a flawed initiative. He accused Tetteh of trying to cling to a failing plan and seeking to pressure the State Council into accepting it.
The issue of capital punishment also came under scrutiny, with Joudeh condemning the recent execution of prisoners in eastern Libya. He noted that the trials were held in military courts and that many of those executed were former fighters in armed groups that were once considered legitimate. Joudeh questioned the timing of the executions, given the ongoing efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
Finally, Joudeh touched on the issue of the Sharara oil field, which has been closed due to protests by oil workers. He linked the closure to Haftar's influence and the demands of the oil workers, including better pay and promotions. Joudeh noted that the government has issued a decision to integrate the oil workers into the Libyan army, which could help to resolve the issue.
Key points
- Libya risks return to war if political stalemate continues
- State Council member proposes alternative solution to 4+4 agreement
- Humanitarian situation in Libya continues to deteriorate
