Pakistan taking on mantle of mediation for war-torn Libya

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has started a quiet mediation effort between Libya’s rival eastern and western centres of power, according to a report that said the move could further raise Islamabad’s diplomatic profile if it succeeds.

The reported initiative comes amid a US-led push that has been observed for months to seek a diplomatic settlement in Libya, which has remained divided between competing eastern and western administrations since the civil war that followed the 2011 Nato-backed uprising that toppled Muammar Qadhafi.

Reuters, citing Pakistani sources, reported that the United States was "fully aware and involved" in Islamabad’s role in Libya. The same sources said Saudi Arabia was also backing the effort. Pakistan signed a mutual defence pact with Saudi Arabia last year.

The mediation efforts began late last year, and both Libyan sides asked Pakistan to become involved. However, it remains unclear how closely Islamabad has coordinated the initiative with other regional stakeholders.

Recent contacts and regional involvement

Last month, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir met Libyan military chief Saddam Haftar in Rawalpindi. Days later, Haftar travelled to Washington and met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The US State Department said at the time that Rubio had welcomed efforts by Libyan leaders to bridge divisions and had reaffirmed Washington’s support for Libyan unity.

Pakistani officials have been pursuing defence ties with the eastern-based Libyan National Army, including possible sales of JF-17 fighter jets and Super Mushak trainer aircraft, despite a United Nations arms embargo. At the same time, the rival western-based Government of National Unity has also recently sought direct talks with Pakistan.

Two Pakistani sources familiar with the matter said Qatar and Turkiye — among the strongest backers of the GNU — were among those that encouraged Pakistan to take up a mediation role.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office, ISPR, officials from Libya’s eastern and western camps, and the foreign ministries of Qatar, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and the United States did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The development follows Pakistan’s separate mediation role this year between the United States and Iran, in which Islamabad has played a central part and for which it has been repeatedly praised by the Trump administration.