Libya needs elections, not another leadership selection

Libya requires elections rather than another leadership selection, according to a recent opinion piece. On June 29th, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Saddam Haftar, a controversial military leader, at the State Department. The United States' initiative, led by Massad Boulos, aims to unify Libya's east and west by selecting leaders from each region to hold top government positions.

However, critics argue that naming anyone to the presidency or prime ministerial role, such as Saddam Haftar, would lead to political instability. The plan could potentially undermine another UN-led effort to restore political ownership to the Libyan people. Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh has been in office since 2021, with his term extended beyond the initial mandate.

His nephew, Ibrahim, is also likely to be involved under the proposed plan. The current US initiative is structured to postpone elections indefinitely, allowing political elites to maintain power. The US should instead push for financial transparency and reforms that allow Libyans to benefit from their oil income. Additionally, the US should continue efforts to unify the Libyan military forces and maintain a military dialogue with Turkey and Egypt, which hold significant influence in the country.