Amid escalating fears of international pressure to force Libyan authorities to accept a binding plan to establish new governance structures, political leaders in western Libya have entered a state of diplomatic emergency, according to sources corroborated by Al-Arab newspaper.
Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dabaiba of the GNU and Chairman of the Presidential Council Mohamed al-Menfi launched intensive consultations with the High State Council head, Mohamed Takala to contain internal disputes and unify ranks ahead of the announcement of the “Advisory Committee” proposed by UN envoy Stephanie Khoury. This move coincides with the appointment of Gambian diplomat Hanna Serwa Tetteh as the new head of the UN mission in Libya and anticipation of the new U.S. administration’s approach to the crisis.
Al-Menfi, his deputy Abdullah al-Lafi, and Dabaiba emphasized the “priority of strengthening cooperation among institutions to address challenges threatening political stability,” as reported by the newspaper.
Informed Libyan sources revealed that Tripoli-based leaders fear the international community may impose a roadmap to restructure the current authorities—formed through the 2021 “Political Dialogue”—in favor of new bodies to facilitate elections scheduled for December 2025. This follows the failure of presidential and parliamentary elections originally planned for December 2021.
In a related development, Walid al-Lafi, Minister of State for Communication, opposed the nomination of Dr. Al-Shibani Abuhumud (Libya’s former ambassador to France and Prof. of International Law) for the UN Advisory Committee, labeling him a “family representative”—a veiled reference to his ties to General Khalifa Haftar. Local sources anticipate similar objections reflecting resistance to moving towards a solution.
Al-Menfi and Dabaiba have tasked Libyan embassies with pressuring international allies to postpone elections until a constitutional referendum is held. However, these efforts face internal divisions. Khalid al-Mishri (a rival for the State Council presidency) accused Dabaiba of “meddling in the Council’s affairs and provoking crises,” while Dabaiba’s alliances with Takala are seen as deepening the rift with the eastern-based House of Representatives.
Internationally, The Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stated during a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan that resolving Libya’s crisis “begins with a unified government.” Turkey, meanwhile, continues to back Dabaiba’s administration. Moreover, Tripoli and Tunisia bolstered economic partnerships during a meeting between their foreign ministers to reactivate agreements and streamline cross-border movement.
A UN expert report exposed unprecedented infiltration of state institutions by armed militias, particularly in western Libya, where The National Oil Corporation has undergone an internal restructuring that facilitates armed groups entering into profitable service agreements. The report noted that a private oil company (approved by the GNU) exported $460 million worth of crude oil since May 2024, while large quantities of diesel are smuggled via Benghazi’s old port and Tripoli’s electricity company, causing massive losses to the National Oil Corporation.
Meanwhile, on the ground, some Islamist factions and Western militias are advocating for a “military offensive from west to east,” modeled on Turkey’s interventions. However, the UN report warned that militia dominance could turn Libya into a “failed entity,” urging urgent measures to combat organized crime and review frozen sovereign wealth funds.
Amid fears of U.S. disengagement and potential Russian-American agreements, Libya’s crisis grows more complex—caught between international pressures and internal fractures—threatening to prolong instability and derail any electoral roadmap in the foreseeable future.