**RT.com Reports U.S. Diplomatic Initiative for Libya May Encounter Obstacles**
*August 29, 2026 – RT.com*
RT .com published a report on Thursday alleging that a U.S.‑backed diplomatic effort, dubbed the “Boulos initiative,” is aimed at reshaping Libya’s political landscape but could encounter significant resistance and legal hurdles.
**Key points of the alleged plan**
– **Senior adviser’s role** – The article states that Massad Boulos, identified as a senior adviser to President Donald Trump on Arab, Middle Eastern, and African affairs, has spent the past year traveling between Tripoli, Benghazi, Paris, Rome and Abu Dhabi to negotiate a political settlement for Libya.
– **Proposed restructuring** – According to RT .com, the core of the proposal involves a re‑configuration of Libya’s executive presidency. The plan reportedly would place Saddam Haftar, commander of the ground forces in eastern Libya and deputy to his father Khalifa Haftar, at the head of a reformed Presidential Council, while retaining Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh as prime minister.
– **Financial and security steps** – The report notes that in April a “record 190 billion‑dinar unified budget” was brokered, described as the first such agreement since 2014. It also cites joint military exercises in Sirte under the U.S. Africa Command’s Flintlock program, involving forces from the east and west of Libya, Italy and more than a dozen African nations.
– **Domestic opposition** – RT .com cites a July 5 statement from military and civic groups in Misrata that allegedly condemned the U.S. plan and rejected any settlement involving the Haftar family. It further reports that Boulos visited Misrata on July 7, where local elders and municipal leaders purportedly declined to endorse the proposal.
**Legal and diplomatic context**
The article emphasizes that the proposed arrangement would operate outside the framework of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions that currently authorize external mediation in Libya. It argues that the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) continues to pursue a process anchored in UNSC mandates, involving Libya’s House of Representatives and the High Council of State.
RT .com also points out that any final agreement would likely require a new UNSC resolution, noting that Russia, a permanent member with veto power, has not been consulted on the alleged U.S. plan.
**Regional interests**
According to the report, several regional actors—including Turkey, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Russia—have vested security, military and economic interests in Libya. The article suggests that these
Article and image source: iraqsun.com
