Libya’s key political players including strongman Khalifa Haftar met with global leaders in Italy on Monday in the latest bid by major powers to kickstart a long-stalled political process and trigger elections.
A summit in Paris in May had seen the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and eastern Libya strongman Haftar agree to hold national polls on December 10, but that date has fallen by the wayside.
Acknowledging the chaotic political situation since dictator Moamer Kadhafi was deposed in 2011, the United Nations on Thursday conceded elections will not be viable before at least the spring of 2019.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte welcomed Haftar in the Sicilian capital Palermo after days of doubts over his crucial presence.
Haftar decided not to attend a working dinner at the Villa Igiea venue, with roundtable talks set for Tuesday morning.
