After mediating Iran-US Peace talks, Pakistan has quietly begun mediating between Libya's rival eastern and western power centres, news agency Reuters reported, citing two Pakistani sources. If it succeeds in brokering the peace, it would further raise its diplomatic profile. Ironically, Islamabad has failed to resolve the internal dispute in its own country. In the border area, the Pakistan army had bombarded the neighbouring Afghanistan border, killing hundreds of innocent civilians.

Meanwhile, the report claimed the Pakistani involvement comes after observers have for months monitored a US-led push to find ‌a diplomatic solution in Libya, which has been split between rival eastern and western administrations since a civil war that broke out in the years after the 2011 NATO-backed uprising toppled Muammar Gaddafi.

What is the current situation of Libya?

Libya is currently governed by a dual-authority system, where the internationally recognised Government of National Unity (GNU), led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, controls the capital city of Tripoli and the country's northwest.

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The Government of National Unity (GNU) was established in March 2021 as part of a UN-backed peace process aimed at ending Libya's civil war. However, the country has since become divided once again. The Tripoli-based GNU now rivals the eastern-based Government of National Stability (GNS), which is backed by General Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA).

Pakistan's mediation gamble

Pakistan has emerged as a key mediator in separate US-Iran talks this year, with the Trump administration repeatedly acknowledging Islamabad's role. One Pakistani source told Reuters that Washington was "fully aware and involved" in Pakistan's efforts to facilitate dialogue in Libya.

Citing its sources, Reuters claimed that the initiative is also backed by Saudi Arabia. Last year, Islamabad signed a mutual defence pact with Riyadh, which has long sought to expand its influence in Libya.

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According to the report, Pakistan's mediation efforts began in late last year after both rival Libyan factions sought its involvement. However, it remains unclear how closely Islamabad has coordinated its initiative with other regional stakeholders.

Last month, Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir met Saddam Haftar in Rawalpindi – a meeting that was followed days later by Haftar's visit to Washington, where he met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

What analysts say

While analysts view Pakistan as a secondary player in Libya, where the US, the UAE, Turkey and Egypt have for years wrestled for influence, Islamabad has maintained ties with both sides that other regional actors may be lacking. But the rival Western GNU also recently sought direct talks with Pakistan, according to an unreported document seen by Reuters.

Qatar, as well as Turkey, one of the GNU's biggest backers, were among the parties that encouraged Pakistan to get involved in mediation, two Pakistani sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Tarek Megerisi, director of geopolitical advisory firm Informmi, cautioned that there was no guarantee that any deal that was signed would stick, pointing to the agreement struck last year between leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo that crumbled within months.

(With inputs Reuters)

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