24 Apr-May 1:Possible political breakthrough between Serraj and Haftar

May 2, 2017 | International actors

On 2 May, photos emerged confirming earlier reports by Russian press agency Sputnik of a possible meeting between Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez al-Serraj and Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar in Abu Dhabi. Although no information has yet been released about the content of the meeting, its very occurrence is significant. The two men have not met in person since the GNA established its headquarters in Tripoli in early 2016, despite external efforts to arrange such a meeting.

The meeting between Serraj and Haftar follows a recent meeting facilitated by Italy between House of Representatives (HoR) President Agilah Saleh and the President of the High Council of State (HCS) Abdurrahman Swehli. Both Saleh and Swehli downplayed the significance of their first meeting in Italy last month.