Mercenaries in Libya and the Threat to Regional Peace

Despite the end of military operations, following the ceasefire agreement there are still many irregular troops and mercenaries in the country who pose a threat to the stability of Libya and the region.

Libya is at its most stable moment since 2014, the conflict was effectively de-escalated when Libya’s warring parties agreed to sign a ceasefire agreement in October 2020. This development facilitated a peace process that, in theory, culminates in general elections scheduled to be held on December 24th, 2021. However, political, institutional and security challenges could complicate the prospect for stability and risk jeopardizing progress made in recent months. The security situation will presumably remain precarious in the coming months due to the continued presence of irregular troops and mercenaries in the country who pose a threat to the stability of Libya and the region.

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Ferhat Polat
Ferhat Polat
Ferhat Polat is a Chevening Scholar from the 2022 cohort and a researcher at the TRT World Research Centre. Holding an MA in Middle East Studies from the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter, he specializes in North African geopolitics and security, with a particular focus on Libya. Polat is often invited as a commentator on news channels and has contributed numerous essays and articles on geopolitical issues that have been published in various journals, newspapers, and digital outlets.

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