A UN-led forum in Geneva elected interim government of Libya. All rival countries announced that they welcomed the elections.
Seventy-four members of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF), which includes Libyans from different political backgrounds, elected Mohammed al-Menfi as presidency council head and Abdulhamid Dbeibeh as prime minister. It was widely expected that Aguila Saleh, the political speaker of Libya’s eastern parliament, to be elected. Eastern parts of country is under control of renegade military commander General Khalifa Haftar, backed by Russia, UAE, and Egypt. Surprisingly, the Turkey backed list won the elections. Turkey Foreign Ministry welcomed the result of election and President Erdogan congratulated the leaders of Libya’s interim government in a phone call. Mohammed al-Menfi was expelled from Greece while he was Libyan ambassador in Athen last year, in protest of Turkey-Libya maritime jurisdiction Accord.
After announcement of results by the UN special envoy to Libya Stephanie Williams, Egypt and UAE welcomed the election results, announced their support to the Presidential Counsil. Soon afterward Haftar also acknowledged elections, followed by similar statement from Arab League.
It is interesting “for me suspicious” a transitional government while its close proximity to Turkey is known, made happy all rival fractions in Libya. Will renegade General Haftar, who several times leave the table, stand aside? Will UAE, who financing and arming Haftar, give way to that government to take the country to national elections on December 24 of this year? Will Egypt’s Sissi, who once announced the Sirte city as their red line and threatened the Government of National Accord to not enter into the city, just watch the process? Or even new US administration have the bug to “bring democracy” to Libya?
Many questions in mind. Already some voices of displeasure begin raising in Gulf TV’s and some European capitals. It is clear that some of them are planning how to undermine this achivements.
But this time tthey may not find that chance, because the agreement was sponsored by the UN. In other hand, it seems there is relative consensus between Turkey and Russia about formation of interim government. Of course Turkey unrelentingly will stand behind the Libyan interim government in all means.
