Future UN Conference on Libya to Fail Due to Foreign-Imposed Agenda - Parliament Speaker
The upcoming UN-sponsored National Conference for Libya, which will seek to reconcile the Libyan nation, is bound to fail since its agenda is imposed by foreign actors, Aguila Saleh, the parliament speaker from the eastern Libyan government, told Sputnik on Friday
The United Nations is planning to organize a national conference for Libyans in February where the country's political forces are expected to agree on a national agenda and the conduct of future elections in Libya.
"I think the conference will fail due to one reason the leaks [of information] about this conference suggest that [this conference will constitute] a coup with regard to [the country's] legitimacy and constitution and the imposition of a constitution and agenda from abroad," Saleh stated.
Saleh added that several regions and tribes in Libya were considering boycotting the conference since they feared that the event's agenda would not take into account the proposals of the Libyans.
In addition, there are concerns that the event's organizers might insist on the dissolution of the country's existing government bodies and the creation of new ones, according to Saleh.
"It is 100 percent Libya's business, and any [attempts] to impose [an agenda] from abroad is a direct interference in Libyan affairs, it is not acceptable for us and all the Libyans. This was discussed in the House of Representatives, and several lawmakers were not satisfied with the process described in the leaks. If what has leaked are the points of negotiations and dialogue, I assume that we can admit failure now," Saleh said.
Libya has been torn apart by conflict since its long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown in 2011. The eastern part of the country is governed by the parliament, backed by the Libyan National Army (LNA) and located in Tobruk. The UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), headed by Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj, operates in the country's west and is headquartered in Tripoli.