Summary: For many Libyans, it seemed that their military leaders were moving towards a consensus that could end years of army division, while tensions between politicians continued to disrupt the elections.
The Libyan military broke the barrier of institutional division relatively, and agreed on steps to pave the way towards the "consensus" that has been stalled since 2014, at a time when the political track is still captive to differences between the competing parties.
An unprecedented meeting hosted by the city of Sirte on Sunday between the chiefs of the general staff of eastern and western Libya, Lieutenant General Khaled Haftar and Salah al-Din al-Nimrush, reflected a degree of understanding on "arrangements" seen as aimed at ending the division in the coming days, and was welcomed internationally, and from opposing political parties.
The meeting between Khaled and Nimrush opened the path of dialogue between the two parts of the military establishment, which had faltered after the departure of Lieutenant General Mohammed Al-Haddad, Chief of Staff of the forces of the "Unity" Interim Government, who was killed and his companions by the crash of his plane during the return flight from Ankara to Tripoli at the end of the year. Past.
Part of the meeting of Nimrush (right) and Khaled Haftar in Sirte 12 July (Chief of Staff of Western Libya)
Sirte is located about 450 kilometers from Tripoli, about halfway between it and Benghazi, the hometown of the late President Muammar Gaddafi. ISIS took control of it in 2015 and took it as one of its most prominent strongholds in North Africa.
The General Command of Western Libya said on Sunday evening that the meeting of Nimrush and Khaled Haftar discussed a number of "priority files", and "it was agreed to organize a unified tactical exercise – the date of which has not yet been determined – with the participation of members of the forces in eastern and western Libya in one of the southern regions, including It enhances readiness and consolidates cooperation between different units. ”
They also discussed mechanisms to support members of the military establishment, improve their capabilities, follow up their administrative and financial rights, and work to address any problems that may hinder their performance, in addition to authorizing the chiefs of staff to hold monthly meetings; This contributes to the development of institutional performance and the promotion of joint work. "
The meeting, which was attended by a delegation from the UN mission to Libya and members of the joint military committees «5 5» and«3 3 3», the chiefs of staff and the Secretary-General of the Presidency of the General Staff, stressed that «the unity of the military institution represents the only option to protect the homeland and preserve its borders and strengthen stability. "
At the beginning of the "path of consensus", permission was granted to the chiefs of staff to hold monthly meetings with their departments, thus contributing to the development of institutional performance and enhancing coordination and joint action.
Khaled Haftar and Nimrush mediate the «3 3» Joint Military Committee (Chief of Staff of Western Libya)
The meeting between Nimrush and Khaled Haftar showed a comparison between what was shown by Libya's military and the current situation of its politicians, as some believe that the situation in Libya is "hostage" to the positions of the House of Representatives and the Supreme State.
It is not yet clear to many whether the meeting of Khalid Haftar and Nimrush will be able to end the division of the military institution or whether it will remain a "friendly meeting" similar to previous meetings held by Al-Haddad and Abdul Razek Al-Nazouri, former chief of staff of the National Army.
Original source: aawsat.com
