The Heat: Libya’s future

The Heat

Libyan flag and battlefield destruction

United Nations talks aimed at bridging differences between rival Libyan factions ended last month in a stalemate with no progress towards stabilizing the country and paving the way for elections.

Political and military fractures have left Libya mired in conflict – its economy in freefall since Muammar Gaddafi was ousted in 2011 after 42 years in power.

The country of about 6.3 million people is divided regionally, with multiple groups vying for control. And Libya has also become a magnet for migrants desperate to start new lives in Europe. If that weren’t enough, with Islamic State on the run in Iraq and Syria, there’s renewed concern that it could take advantage of Libya’s chaos and regroup there.

For an in-depth discussion on the fate of Libya and whether or not stability can be returned to the country:

  • Guma El-Gamaty, a member of the U.N.-backed Libyan political dialogue process, and a signatory to the 2015 political agreement designed to stabilize the country
  • Elissa Miller, a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Hariri Center for the Middle East
  • Jean-Louis Romanet Perroux, research leader for the EU’s delegation to Libya
  • Sukant Chandan, commentator and documentary producer. His recent film, “Nato War on Libya”

 

 

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