Libyan Unity Talks Collapse Following Allegations Involving Saddam Haftar

Efforts to unify Libya's divided governance structures have hit a major obstacle following allegations that Saddam Haftar, deputy commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), directed a terror cell responsible for drone strikes on energy infrastructure in western Libya. Representatives from the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) indicated that continued cooperation with Saddam Haftar has become impossible in the wake of the disclosures.

The development threatens a merger proposal associated with Donald Trump’s Africa adviser, Massad Boulos, which envisioned a power-sharing arrangement between eastern military commander Khalifa Haftar and the western GNU led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah. The source material indicates the plan proposed Khalifa Haftar as president and a member of the Dbeibah family as prime minister. Additionally, the allegations complicate parallel United Nations-sponsored talks aimed at holding nationwide elections within two years.

Drone Attacks and Infrastructure Damage

The recent disruption stems from a series of drone strikes in August targeting western energy facilities, including the Zawiya oil complex west of Tripoli. Over five days, strikes ignited a gasoline storage container holding roughly 4.5 million liters of fuel, leading to a severe fire and the tank's collapse, according to Libya's National Oil Corporation. The strikes intensified power outages in the region, placing additional pressure on the GNU administration.

Reports suggest the operations were linked to tensions over delayed negotiations regarding the political merger and allegations that authorities in Tripoli encouraged southern tribes to attack LNA positions.

Arrests and Security Disclosures

On September 5, security forces under the GNU arrested three Libyan citizens and one Spanish national in southern Tripoli over an alleged plot that included planned attacks on Tripoli airport. Investigative details linked the Libyan suspects to the Tareq ben Ziyad brigade, an LNA unit, and cited Saddam Haftar's alleged involvement. Authorities stated the cell was believed to involve nine individuals in total, including five Spanish citizens and four Libyans.

GNU sources noted that the findings render further political collaboration with Saddam Haftar unfeasible. The revelations may also alter internal dynamics within the eastern leadership, where Saddam Haftar faces political competition from his brothers, Khaled and Belqasim.