The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Factions in Libya urged to unite as the country exports oil for the first time since 2014

September 22, 2016 at 1:56 p.m. EDT
From left, Libya’s Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Italy’s Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni, participate in a ministerial meeting about Libya on Thursday. (Jason Decrow/AFP/Getty Images)

Diplomats meeting here said revenue from Libyan oil, which has begun to flow again, should be used to support a new unity government and "strengthen Libya's economy for the benefit of all Libyans."

The country remains riven by rival authorities claiming power, an array of powerful militias and militants with the Islamic State’s strongest affiliate, but a fragile new government, which emerged from United Nations-brokered talks, is backed by the United States and its allies. Diplomats from 22 countries and four international organizations said in a communique Thursday that the various factions in the country should stop their infighting and unite to restore governance and face the terrorist threat in Libya.

The meeting, chaired by Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni, was attended by diplomats from Europe, Africa and the Middle East, all of whom are in town for the U.N. General Assembly.

It came one day after a tanker carrying more than 770,000 barrels of crude oil left the port of Ras Lanuf for the first time since 2014, heading to Italy. But the port was seized this month by Khalifa Haftar, a powerful military figure who does not recognize the unity government in Tripoli. He instead supports a rival administration in eastern Libya, and it is unclear which of the two competing governments will end up getting the oil revenue if exports continue and grow.

Libya’s National Oil Corporation has said it wants to produce 900,000 barrels per day by the end of the year; current production is about 390,000.

Oil revenue is seen as key to reviving the fortunes of Libya, where more than 200,000 would-be migrants are lined up on its shores waiting for boats to take them to Italy. Oil was the backbone of Libya's economy until former dictator Moammar Gaddafi was overthrown in 2011. Though rich in oil, Libya will run through its cash reserves by next year.

The diplomats who met in New York called on the unity government, known as the Government of National Accord, and the administrative Presidency Council to hold elections by next year and knit together an inclusive military composed of people from across the country. They offered training and equipment and said they would scale back an arms embargo so a national military could fight terrorist groups.

“We share the Libyan people’s desire to transform Libya to become a secure, democratic, prosperous and unified state, where state authority and the rule of law prevail,” the communique said. “This can only be achieved peacefully through inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation.”