Saudi Arabia is expected to play a major role in trying to solve the Libyan crisis, inviting key players from all sides of the divide to a meeting aimed at ending it, reported the Libya Herald.
A prominent source in Riyadh very close to the Saudi authorities told the Libya Herald that Riyadh is still undecided, though, on the location of the meeting.
According to Libya Herald, and following talks in Washington with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir, US Secretary of State John Kerry said there had been discussions on “a multinational group meeting of the main stakeholders somewhere in the next 10 to 12 days”.
He also added that the aim was “to take certain key steps that could actually strengthen the ability of government to be able to serve the people of Libya”.
Both the Americans and the Saudis had also agreed on the need for a united fight in Libya against the so-called Islamic State.
According to the Saudi source, Riyadh now feels it has to become fully involved.
On the other hand, the Riyadh source told Libya Herald “If Saudi Arabia becomes involved, the Qataris and Emiratis will have to pull back”.
It is noteworthy that Riyadh also has strong influence on Egypt, which it helps bankroll, and also on Turkey.
“The Saudis can break the logjam,” one European ambassador told the Libyan newspaper.
Brigitte Curmi, France’s new ambassador to Libya, reacted on the participation of Saudi Arabia in the meeting that was held in Paris on Libya earlier this month, “This is a country that is able to talk to all stakeholders. This is why it seemed important to us to invite them”.
