Qatar working to undermine Libya ceasefire deal
Qatar
signed a security cooperation agreement with the Tripoli-based Government of
National Accord (GNA) on Oct. 26.
The
view among observers is that the two sides signed the agreement only with the
aim of sabotaging ongoing efforts to find a negotiated settlement to the
conflict in Libya.
The
signing of the agreement came only days after rival Libyan parties signed a comprehensive
ceasefire agreement in Geneva.
The
agreement makes it necessary for the militias operating in Libya to be
disbanded and the mercenaries present in the country to get out of it.
The
agreement also stipulates the unification of the Libyan military establishment
and getting Turkish troops out of Libya.
Qatari-Turkish attempts
Observers
viewed the security cooperation agreement between the GNA and Qatar as a new
Qatari-Turkish attempt to maintain support to terrorist organizations and
militias operating in Libya. They also considered it as an attempt by the two
countries to infiltrate official Libyan institutions.
The
agreement was signed during a visit to Qatari capital Doha by GNA Foreign
Minister Mohamed Sayala and Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha.
The
two GNA officials held talks with Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad.
Masked terrorism
The
security cooperation agreement between the two sides allows Qatar to offer
training to administrative workers within the GNA and upgrade the traffic
system.
Qatar
will also offer training to GNA coast guards and offer assistance to GNA police
and investigation agencies in conducting investigations in criminal cases.
The
agreement became effective as soon as it was signed. It lasts for three years,
after which it will be renewed automatically.
Dubious move
The
Libyan National Army (GNA) commented on the signing of the agreement by
describing it as a dubious move to undermine the ceasefire agreement signed in
Geneva.
LNA
Spokesman Ahmed al-Mesmari said Qatar is the largest sponsor of terrorism in
the world.
"The agreement Qatar signed with the GNA on Oct. 26 is a violation of the ceasefire agreement signed in Geneva," al-Mesmari wrote on Facebook.
