Abstract:
Libya's longstanding political deadlock reached breaking point with the fighting between rival militias in Tripoli in September 2018. Throughout the preceding two years of political stalemate, the UN-led approach to negotiations remained vested in defunct institutions that blocked any progress. As a result, there was no prospect for the formation of regular security forces under government control, let alone the unification of Libya's divided security institutions. Addressing these security challenges requires a new push for a transitional power-sharing agreement with a roadmap towards elections. Negotiations need to involve actors with influence on the ground, including representatives of armed groups. Such a push should also include talks over new security arrangements in Tripoli, as well as efforts at reunifying economic institutions.