An expert on Libyan affairs: Holding elections conflicts with Russian interests in the region

Hajar Ali, an expert on Libyan affairs at the German Institute for International and Regional Studies, confirmed that instability is politically profitable for some Libyan parties, but it cannot be a sustainable situation, especially in light of the mounting disappointment and frustration among Libyans.

Ali explained in statements to the German network “Deutsche Welle” that the Libyan security situation is putting the politicians currently at the forefront of the scene under pressure, especially after the American Khalifa Haftar implicated Libya, or especially southern Libya, in the ongoing civil war in Sudan, with his aid and transfer of weapons to one of the warring parties there.

She continued by saying, “The coming period will increase the pressure placed on Libyan politicians to hold elections, but it will also be faced with a conflict with Russian interests in the region, especially since Moscow sees Libya playing an important role for it in evading Western sanctions imposed on it following the Russian-Ukrainian war.”

She concluded by saying, “The Libyan political process is failing due to very practical issues such as electoral laws, which is one of the reasons why it is unlikely to achieve rapid progress in the crisis currently.”