Ahmed Omar Maiteeq, Vice Chairman of the Presidential Council (PC), Government of National Accord (GNA), Libya  

In dialogue with Mary Fitzgerald, Associate Fellow, International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation (ICSR), King’s College London and Arturo Varvelli, Director, Rome Office, ECFR

After a year and a half of violent confrontation and various failed attempts of international mediation, the two Libyan warring sides, the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli and the Libyan National Army (LNA), have recently agreed to an UN-backed nationwide ceasefire deal intended to pave the way towards a political solution to the country’s conflict. While both factions are committed to withdraw troops from the frontline and to demobilize influential armed militias, the agreement remains very precarious due to persistent socio-political fractures and the continuous military support of competing external actors to either of the two camps. Against this backdrop, the COVID-19 pandemic has added another layer of suffering on a population already exhausted by years of economic disruption, deepening social inequalities and widespread insecurity. The end of foreign meddling and a sincere commitment to a real socio-political reconciliation from all sides seems to be the only cure to heal Libya’s multiple ailments. The Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF), held in Tunis in November, has been a first step to determine inclusively and autonomously Libya’s future institutional path. 

Ahmed Omar Maiteeg became Vice President of the Libyan Presidential Council since 2015, in charge of economic and development programmes, international relations, national reconciliation and reconstruction, and special financial arrangements specified in the Libyan Political Agreement. Upon completion of his studies, he returned to Libya from Italy to help rebuild and run his family’s businesses. With a strong interest in establishing economic stability in Libya, years later he focused on politics; after the fall of Gaddafi regime, he became a member of the Committee of Civil Development and Stability. In 2013 he was appointed Economic Advisor to General National Congress, and in May 2014 he was elected the youngest Prime Minister of Libya. He stepped down from his role in June 2014. Ahmed Omar Maiteeg is also Chairman of the Council of Arab Youth and Sports Ministers.