Efforts to resolve the ongoing split in Libya, with two rival governments vying for legitimacy and other factions like ISIS taking over growing territory, have suffered a major blow with the UN envoy responsible for the talks being hired away from the program by the United Arab Emirates, a backer of the Tobruk-based government.
Bernardino Leon, the diplomat in question, was given a high-paying job at a UAE government-funded thinktank, leading to accusations that the efforts under his watch were “compromised” and that he was biased in favor of the Tobruk government, and against the Tripoli government.
The Tripoli government is demanding an explanation from the UN, though Leon is denying any wrongdoing, and his office suggests that his sudden receipt of a lucrative job offer was mere coincidence, and not a function of his handling of the talks.
The UN formally recognizes the Tobruk government, and not the Tripoli one, and has sought to get the two sides to agree to some sort of unity government. The Tobruk government has largely spurned such efforts seeking dramatically more representation in any unity government than the Tripoli side would receive.
The Tripoli government controls the area between Tripoli and Misrata, while Tobruk controls only a small coastal region near Egypt. ISIS controls much of the center of the country, around Sirte, while other local factions control most of the remaining cities and towns.
Yes It did from the moment Bernardino Leon took over the mission,He has been consulting with the rulers of the United Arab Emirates and the Junta of Egypt,the cause of much what has been happening Libya, from the get go.He has never been an honest and neutral broker nor was ever sincere about bringing all sides to agreement.He supported and advanced the views and goals of one side while doing every thing to undermine the other side.He has done the same thing in Egypt according to Dr.ElBaradei," "In July 2013, I was part of an opposition [movement] but I said we needed an inclusive approach. What happened afterwards was not what I signed up for," he said.
"I signed up for early presidential elections, I signed up for a dignified exit for Mr Morsi, I signed up for an inclusive approach which the Brotherhood and the Islamists would be part of, I signed up for a plan which was actually worked out by my friend Bernardino Leon, who is now trying to do the same thing in Libya," he added.
"But then all this was thrown out of the window, violence started to take hold, and once violence started to take hold there was no place for someone like me. In a society where there is no clear concept of justice and consensus, nor is there any political space, I can have no effect or influence, nor can I be part of it," the Constitution Party founder explained." http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/1348…
In his e-mail to to UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan on 31 December 2014,Bernardino Leon clearly shows his biases,and collusion with UAE and its Libyan yes men,"Note: all my movements and proposals have been consulted with (and in many cases designed by) the HOR and Aref Nayed and Mahmud Jibril (with whom I speak on a daily basis) following Your request. – http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/full-text-email…
He was never been seen as trustworthy or dependable,nor respected by most Libyans who have thought of him as working for their interests or their country,but was serving some one else agenda.
"the UN envoy responsible for the talks being hired away from the program by the United Arab Emirates, a backer of the Tobruk-based government"
How is that even possible? If some official were hired off his job at the energy ministry by Texaco or whomever, some serious questions about deontology would be raised and one would hope heat would be lighted under the official's buttocks.