This week Libya’s interim government took over, officially beginning a long-awaited tenure. The new government is set to end its rule over Libya in December this year when a democratic election is held in the oil-rich country.
Birth of the new interim Government
Many of the citizens in Libya are delighted by the appointment of the new government. The interim government has revived hopes of stability in oil-rich Libya. Back in 2011, Libya plunged into chaos when a NATO-backed uprising bore fruit. The uprising led to the ousting and killing of longtime ruler Moammar Gadhafi. After Gadhafi was killed, Libya saw two rival administrations fight for power. Rival east and west administrations caused great loss of lives. Each government enjoyed the backing of armed groups and foreign governments. This environment created a haven for militant groups threatening Libya’s neighbors, including Tunisia.
But in November, Libya agreed to hold talks to help the nation and its people move past the conflict caused by the two rival administrations. Tunisia, a longtime enemy of Libya, agreed to host the U.N led talks. The United Nations picked a forum of Libyan representatives who eventually produced a roadmap that appointed the new interim government. The panel tasked the new government with leading Libya through presidential and parliamentary elections on December 24th.
Tunisia’s President holds talks with Libya’s new Leaders
Libya’s new interim government includes a three-member presidential council headed by Menfi and a cabinet headed by Dbeibah. Mohammad Younes Menfi has said he hopes the interim government will restore normality to the war-torn nation. This week the newly appointed government of Libya received its first state visit. The visit came a day after Libya’s interim government took power in Tripoli. The Tunisian President made a visit to Libya, becoming the first Tunisian leader to set foot in Libya since 2012.
The Tunisian President Kais Saied landed in Libya’s Mitiga International Airport and firstly met with Mohammad Younes Menfi. The President also met with some of Libya’s newly appointed government officials as well. His surprise visit made the head of state become the first ever to visit the war-torn nation a day after an interim administration took over.
Restoration of normal relations between Libya and Tunisia
From the airport, President Kais Saied and Mohammad Younes Menfi headed for talks in Tripoli. In Tripoli, the President also met with Libya’s new Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah. In a press conference, President Saied’s office revealed that the talks focused on the economy and trade between the two nations. Additionally, the discussions also involved how Tunisia could support the democratic path in Libya. President Saied said it was time for Libya to overcome all causes of alienation without elaborating further. In a separate conference, Younes Menfi said Libya and Tunisia would work together to restore normal relations at all levels.
Before the uprising in Libya, the nation significantly contributed to an economic partnership with Tunisia. When the fighting engulfed the two countries, trade between the two countries collapsed. The two nations saw a decline to less than $6 million from more than $1.2 billion in three years. But the two nations can now work towards restoring their once strong relationship.
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