Mixed Libyan Reaction To Sarraj-Haftar Meeting

The Haftar-Serraj meeting in Abu Dhabi has provoked mixed reactions in Libya, though the most vocal reactions have been negative. While the meeting is a sign that Sarraj has been forced to dial back his opposition to the LNA’s advances in the South and that Haftar is keen to strengthen his international leverage and credibility, it could conversely be fairly damaging to rapprochement efforts on the ground. Indeed, the recent progress achieved in back-channel military rapprochement between the LNA and Government of National Accord (GNA) military structures, especially between Haftar and Misrata, appears to have been damaged by the ‘Abu Dhabi’ meeting.The ‘constructive ambiguity’ employed by UNSMIL – namely the apparent dropping of the National Conference and emphasis on general elections without any clarity - is likely to reinforce concerns amongst anti-LNA groups and others in the western region that the UN process is a ruse for the return of military dictatorship in civilian guise. As such, this has taken away much of the political and social legitimacy enjoyed by Sarraj and his GNA within these communities, and has undermined some of the rapprochement efforts between forces on the ground. The international setting of the meeting is also raising sensitivities over foreign involvement in Libyan affairs, particularly UAE involvement – this is particularly potent as regards UNSMIL and the UAE given one of Salame’s predecessors negotiated a lucrative job in the UAE while in position as envoy.