Qatar pledges support for efforts to end Libya’s political division

Qatar’s minister of state has pledged his country’s commitment to ending longstanding political division in Libya during a visit to Benghazi.

Minister of State Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi met with Khalifa Haftar, commander of the self-styled Libyan National Army, which is aligned with the unrecognised eastern-based government, on Thursday.

Libya has been split since 2014 between the Tripoli-based government of National Unity, led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, and the Haftar-backed eastern administration of Osama Hammad.

The visit, during which al-Khulaifi expressed Qatar’s support for Libyan unity and sovereignty, comes as the country faces the challenge of implementing a recently agreed election pact.

The two officials discussed regional developments and “topics of common interest,” the Qatari Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Al-Khulaifi affirmed Qatar’s support for “a political process that reflects Libyans’ aspirations while aiming at preserving the country’s sovereignty,” according to the statement.

He also stressed the need for continued dialogue and reconciliation to build consensus and pave the way for stability.

Qatar will keep engaging with Libyan parties and leaders to back United Nations efforts towards a political agreement, al-Khulaifi added.