How to Escalate Political Efforts to Stabilise Libya?

Is a long term solution to Libya’s civil war in sight? And what should the British government’s strategy be?

Guests

Crispin Blunt MP, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, House of Commons

Chaired by

Mattia Toaldo, Senior Policy Fellow, ECFR

After more than a year of efforts, some Libyan factions have signed a UN-backed political agreement. The newly created Government of National Accord, which moved to Tripoli on 30 March, will face enormous challenges on several fronts: the stabilisation of the country, the reconciliation between different factions and the humanitarian crisis. Moreover, Europeans expect the new government to fight both illegal immigration and IS. The past months have seen a steady rise of informal Western intervention in Libya while discussion over more formalized military operations is ongoing alongside talks to establish a deal to contain migrations. Is a long term solution to Libya’s civil war in sight? And what should the British government’s strategy be?

Crispin Blunt MP is the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Sub-Committee in the House of Commons and a Member of Parliament for Reigate. He has been leading the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Government’s foreign policy with respect to Libya.

Mattia Toaldo is Senior Policy Fellow in the Middle East and North Africa programme at ECFR. He has been studying Libya since 2004 and was previously a member of the council of the Society for Libyan Studies.