Libya PM invited to meet Trump

The UN-backed Libyan government headed by Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj will be meeting US President Donald Trump in June after receiving an invitation from the US administration, according to the New Arab.

The leader of the western-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli will also meet with rival military strongman Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, leader of the Libyan National Army in the east. The pair were due to meet earlier this year in Cairo, Egypt, for reconciliatory talks but failed to come to any meaningful conclusion after Haftar refused to meet with Al-Sarraj.

Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni met with Trump at the White House last week to find a solution to the unrest in Libya.

Speaking to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Gentiloni explained:

Now is the moment for the US and Italy to work together to stabilise the situation [in Libya] and broaden the support for the Tripoli government to other actors. The division of Libya is not a good idea. It would be dangerous for Egypt, dangerous for Tunisia and for the interests of Europe.

Speaking at a press conference following his meeting with Trump, Gentiloni spoke of the critical role the US had in Libya.

Trump immediately responded:

I do not see a role in Libya. I think the United States has right now enough roles.

However he later added that the US’ does have a role in defeating Daesh which is fighting alongside other factions in Libya..