The Christian Science Monitor quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Mohamed Eljarh on the dangers of the pending United Nations-backed Libya peace deal:
Tobruk-based Libya analyst Mohamed Eljarh, a non-resident fellow with the Atlantic Council, believes the deal is unworkable.
From a technical point of view, he says, it will be difficult for a nine-member presidential council representing different regions and parties to achieve the consensus necessary to pass urgent decisions. In the absence of a cease-fire, the new government will be unable to relocate to Tripoli or exert control over ongoing military operations.
“I believe that time is of the essence, but imposing a government that is going to be announced from outside Libya might result in even more fragmentation,” which would allow IS to expand further, he warns. “We see the international community insisting on signing and some Libyans insisting on signing, but that beats the whole idea. It is supposed to be a unity government and a consensus political deal.”