Editorial | A glimmer of hope in Libya

A permanent ceasefire agreement reached between Libya’s two rival factions is welcome news for the north African state and the Mediterranean region.

The agreement brokered by the UN in Geneva last week appears to be holding even if fraught with uncertainty.

The Government of National Accord, based in Tripoli, and the administration based in the eastern city of Benghazi, agreed to evacuate fighters from the frontlines and order foreign mercenaries to leave the country within three months.

The rival factions also agreed to form a joint military force under a unified command to deal with violations of the ceasefire and a joint police control room to make security arrangements in those areas evacuated by soldiers and armed militias.

The agreement is an important first step in restoring security and stability in a country that has been riven by violence since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Only secure neighbourhoods and a system of centralised law and order will foster trust among Libyans after almost a decade of violence.

The hope is that after security is restored, rivals can agree on a political roadmap that keeps the country’s unity intact, while allowing Libyans to eventually choose their own leaders.

It will not be an easy transition and one that requires all the international help it can get.

The proxy war we have been witnessing in Libya with the direct and indirect military participation of different countries on either side of the split has to end.

On the contrary, these countries must support all efforts towards national unity in Libya.

It is within this context that Malta can provide the safe space for dialogue and conflict resolution between the different Libyan factions during this delicate transition period.

It is in Malta’s interest to have stability in its immediate neighbourhood, which is why being part of the ongoing dialogue matters.

Admittedly, Malta may not have the economic, military or diplomatic clout of much larger countries but it can enjoy moral clout as an honest broker even if this is confined to pushing Libya up the European agenda.

With pressing problems on the EU’s eastern border and the tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, Libya can easily slip under the radar. It has happened in the past and this is not something Malta should accept.

Stability in Libya is important to address the migration issue but not only.

There are scores of Maltese businesses that had commercial ties with Libya but lost everything when chaos descended on the north African state. Others have assets and ventures that are worthless or useless in the current circumstances.

Many of these companies will be willing to tap the potential of an emerging Libyan market. The national airline, Air Malta, which lost its lucrative Tripoli route could also stand to benefit.

Malta must not only view Libya from a migration perspective but must strive for effective commercial, trade, educational, cultural and diplomatic ties.

But for this to happen, a return to political and security stability in Libya is important.

The glimmer of hope that Libyan leaders lit last week must not be allowed to be snuffed out by rogue forces that may stand to lose legitimacy and power in a unified and stable country.

Malta must play its part, limited as it may be, to ensure that this historic chance is not lost.