Two rival administrations have deeply divided Libya since August last year. One is an alliance of militias called Libya Dawn, which captured Tripoli and controls the west of the country. The other is the remnant of the internationally-recognised government, which fled Tripoli and is now based in the eastern city of Tobruk. So it is good news that the UN envoy to Libya, Bernardino Leon, has announced a success in the talks to build a national unity government in the country. The designated prime minister will be Fayez Sarraj from the Tripoli-based administration, and he will be backed by three deputies for the prime minister — representing the country’s east, west and south — with two more ministers to complete a presidential council. The professionally optimistic Leon says that “we believe this can work”.
Non-Libyans such as the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and European Union foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, have rallied to support the deal, but more realistic doubts remain inside Libya. The successful negotiations are only a first step, which must be followed by parliamentary endorsements in both Tripoli and Tobruk, which are both a major hurdle. If they succeed, the unlikely combination of powers stitched into the unity government then have to work together to rebuild some kind of normal governance, and regain control of large parts of the country that neither party controls, and disarm the large and politically motivated militias that roam the country at will. These are major tasks that will need substantial international and regional support, which has not been forthcoming so far. Leon’s optimism will be sorely tested.