BENGHAZI — During its final week of in-person meetings, the Security Track of the Structured Dialogue met in Benghazi and discussed different proposals to address key legal, operational and political challenges related to unifying Libya’s military and security institutions.
Among the challenges identified were parallel armed structures; weak enforcement mechanisms; border vulnerabilities; the destabilising impact of foreign interference through the financing of armed groups and rival political actors; and the presence of foreign fighters and mercenaries.
Emphasising that the fragmentation of security governance is rooted primarily in political division rather than technical capacity, Security Track members agreed that political will and alignment between security reforms and the broader political process are essential to unification. Resolving political division and establishing a unified civilian-led authority are critical prerequisites, they concluded.
Unified leadership should be established through political agreement and interim coordination mechanisms, such as joint operations rooms, should be activated.
Members agreed that the mandate of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission should be expanded to include military unification and be empowered to support integration, reform, and restructuring efforts in an inclusive and geographically balanced manner.
They also emphasised the importance of a unified legal and institutional framework that ensures military neutrality, civilian oversight, accountability, and respect for human rights and the rule of law. To this aim, some members suggested conducting a comprehensive review of Libya’s national security legislation and modernising laws in order to address current and emerging security threats.
Security Track members further called for the implementation of comprehensive Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration and security sector reform programmes, confidence‑building measures, and strategic communication initiatives to strengthen institutional cohesion and public trust.
During the week, members of the Security Track presented to the Security Working Group of the Berlin Process some of the other preliminary proposals they have developed since the Structured Dialogue’s launch in December, including on election security, conflict prevention, and security sector governance.
On the margins of the consultations, members also conducted a visit to Qaminis Military City and exchanged views on ways to enable military unification with senior officers.
The overall aim of the Structured Dialogue is to produce concrete recommendations to create a conducive environment for elections and address more immediate challenges to strengthen state institutions and undertake needed reforms. By examining and developing policy and legislative proposals to address long-term conflict drivers, the work of the Structured Dialogue aims to build consensus on a national vision that will shape the path to peace and stability.
