TRIPOLI, Libya — US Envoy Massad Boulos Has Been Instrumental in the Past Year in Attempting to Bridge the Divide Among Libya’s Feuding Leaders.
However, the US’s intervention is raising concerns among analysts, who fear it could empower the entrenched political elite rather than promote the democratic process the country so desperately needs. Oil-rich Libya, split since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising, has seen its political and military factions locked in a stalemate. Boulos, responsible for Arab and African affairs in the Trump administration, has engaged with both Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah’s UN-recognised government and Khalifa Haftar’s eastern-based administration, which enjoys support from powerful militia groups.
Despite the US’s assertion that its plan aims to end division, the specifics of the proposal have remained shrouded in mystery. Last week, Boulos met with Dbeibah and Haftar, but he has refrained from delving into the details of the plan, which appears to focus on maintaining the status quo within Libya’s current power structure. Libya’s governing bodies, both in the east and west, have proposed a roadmap for presidential and parliamentary elections by February, a move that has been welcomed by the United Nations.
Yet, some analysts speculate that Boulos’s plan could undermine these elections by allowing Dbeibah to remain in his role and positioning the son of Khalifa Haftar to lead the Presidential Council. Critics argue that the US is taking a risky approach by backing an agreement among the country’s dominant factions. “Washington is making a dangerous bet, “writes Karim Mezran in the Atlantic Council. “.
In throwing its weight behind an elite accord that commands no genuine popular consent, it risks fostering instability and violence in the long term. “.
The US’s goal is clear: a stable Libya would mean significant economic opportunities for American energy companies. Boulos has said that Libya’s oil production could double by the end of the decade, positioning the country as a major oil producer on the global stage. While the US State Department has praised the progress made since the summer of 2025, analysts remain skeptical.
A political scientist, Faraj al — Dali, points out the potential obstacles if the US relies on figures whose authority is not universally recognized across Libya. “.
The prospect of Saddam Haftar holding a senior leadership role is likely to be met with resistance in western Libya, “he. Ultimately, the success of the US’s bid for Libya’s reunification hinges on the ability to unite a nation deeply divided along political and tribal lines.
As Libya’s political and economic situation continues to worsen, the international community watches closely to see if the US can navigate the treacherous waters of Libyan politics.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: enca
Source: Nokuthula Khanyile
