Summary:

A report published by Africa Intelligence revealed a previously undisclosed meeting took place at the Élysée Palace in Paris between Ibrahim Dbeibah, Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, and Saddam Haftar, under the sponsorship of France and the United States. 

According to the report, the meeting took place on Wednesday, 28 January and was coordinated by French President Emmanuel Macron’s Special Envoy to Libya, Paul Soler, and the US Presidential Adviser for African and Middle Eastern Affairs, Massad Boulos, focused on exploring a framework for unifying Libya’s national institutions amid ongoing political divisions and stalled elections. 

Discussions reportedly considered forming a unified government in which key factions would share responsibilities under a single prime minister. The talks followed Boulos’s visit to Tripoli on 25 January for the Libya Energy and Economy Summit, after which he traveled to Benghazi to meet with Haftar. 

Outlook: 

While no official statements have been issued by the parties involved, the meeting highlights the delicate political and economic situation in Libya, as the Western partners, particularly the United States, seek a negotiated agreement between rival factions to form a unified government. As interest in a rapid expansion of the country’s oil and gas sector has grown, so has pressure on various Libyan political actors to provide multinational investors with assurances of stability and safety on the ground. 

Libya’s strategic importance in the region underscores why its continued division is disadvantageous for all sides. The role of militias in both eastern and western Libya is likely to have been a central topic of discussion, given their influence on decision-making and the country’s political, economic, and security environment.  

The meeting could also be seen as a symbolic step in favor of Libya, following the recent hosting of the Libya Energy and Economy Summit (LEES), which may help reinforce investor confidence in the country. 

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