Al-Sarraj: Libya's crisis cannot be solved by power sharing, exclusion, or militarisation

Chairperson of the Presidential Council of the Libyan Government of National Accord Fayez Al-Sarraj said on Sunday that resolving the crisis in his country does not come with power sharing or the exclusion of one party, as some claim.

He added in a speech at the Arab summit in Tunisia: “We will not give up our principles and peaceful solutions to reach a civil state, to ensure that totalitarian rule or militarization of the state will not return.”

Al-Sarraj stressed that “the militarization of the state is a red line and we will not allow it to happen.”

READ: Libya’s rival leaders could overcome army control dispute

He continued: “We look forward to holding a national dialogue conference in April, hoping to reach an understanding formula that would ensure the unification of institutions and the holding of right presidential and parliamentary constitutional elections to allow people to have a say.”

The official expressed his hope that some people (he did not name) would be convinced that the military solution would not be beneficial to any side.

Since 2011, Libya has been witnessing a conflict over legitimacy and authority which is currently concentrated between the internationally recognised Government of National Accord in the capital Tripoli, and Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the forces backed by the House of Representatives in Tobruk.

The 30th session of the Arab Summit at the level of leaders and presidents have started on Sunday with the attendance of about half of the Arab leaders, the absence of eight leaders, and the freezing of Syria’s seat.