In a bid to resolve Libya’s ongoing political crisis, rival Libyan factions resumed talks in Morocco on Wednesday. The discussions are aimed at breaking the political deadlock and preventing the country from falling back into chaos.
Libya has struggled for stability since 2014, when the country split into two rival administrations following the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted Muammar Gaddafi. Since then, the nation has endured years of division, violence, and fragile peace efforts.
The talks, held in Bouznika near Rabat, bring together two opposing legislative bodies: the High Council of State, based in Tripoli, and the House of Representatives, located in Benghazi. These institutions have long clashed over governance, further deepening the divide.
Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita addressed the participants, urging them to collaborate for the unity of Libya. He emphasized the importance of a “credible election” to move forward and stressed that regional and international conferences cannot replace Libya’s internal dialogue.
The political process, which aims to end years of institutional conflict, has stalled since a planned election in December 2021 collapsed due to disputes over candidate eligibility. The House of Representatives, elected in 2014, has struggled to manage the political transition.
Under a 2015 agreement in Morocco, the High Council of State was formed as an advisory body. However, political divisions deepened when the House of Representatives appointed a rival government in the east, further entrenching the divide.
The resumption of talks signals renewed hope that the rival factions can find common ground to end Libya’s ongoing political turmoil.