US President Donald Trump 's adviser on Africa and the Middle East, Massad Boulos , arrived in the western city of Misrata on Tuesday for talks with political and military figures opposed to a US-backed initiative to resolve Libya's long-running political crisis, Libyan sources told The New Arab .
Boulos landed at Misrata International Airport as preparations were completed for a meeting with representatives of groups rejecting the US proposal.
While Misrata's municipal council did not officially announce the visit, and its media office declined to comment on its purpose, sources said Boulos had planned to meet opponents of the initiative at a hotel in the city to hear their objections directly.
His visit came after dozens of demonstrators gathered outside Misrata airport on Monday night to protest his arrival.
Reading out a statement, they described the US initiative as a "suspicious deal", arguing that the parties it seeks to share power between "represent only themselves and have no legitimacy".
They also rejected any political settlement, they said, that did not reflect the will of the Libyan people.
Misrata's Military Council also issued a statement condemning the initiative, saying it would pave the way for another transitional phase rather than elections by allowing the rival authorities in Tripoli and Benghazi to divide power between themselves.
The council also rejected any agreement involving eastern military commander Khalifa Haftar and his sons, describing it as an attempt to revive military rule.
It called for peaceful demonstrations across Libya demanding a constitutional referendum followed by parliamentary and presidential elections.
The statement also opposed Boulos' visit to Misrata, saying its position reflected "the force on the ground" in the city.
Boulos is expected to travel to Tripoli later on Tuesday to meet Presidential Council head Mohamed al-Menfi, who has also reportedly expressed reservations about the US initiative.
The visit follows a meeting held on Monday in the Maltese capital, Valletta, between representatives of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity and the eastern-based General Command loyal to Haftar. Sources previously told The New Arab that the talks focused on obstacles facing the US proposal, with both sides presenting their observations.
Boulos' latest diplomatic efforts come as the UN Support Mission in Libya announced on Monday that members of the joint 4+4 committee had agreed on the text of a "final agreement", which is expected to be announced during a meeting next week.
The committee has completed consultations on restructuring the board of Libya's High National Elections Commission and reached agreement on draft laws governing parliamentary and presidential elections.
The initiative forms part of Washington's broader push to reunify Libya's rival administrations after years of division. The US has already brokered agreements between the competing governments on issues including public spending and has also encouraged military cooperation between forces aligned with the east and west.
Boulos has said Libyan leaders could be invited to Washington to sign a final agreement if a deal is reached.
Haftar's General Command welcomed the US initiative in a statement issued on 18 June, expressing its readiness to engage with the proposal. The Government of National Unity has yet to announce an official position.
However, Libya's Presidential Council joined the speakers of the House of Representatives and the High Council of State in issuing a joint statement on 18 June backing a roadmap that envisages parliamentary and presidential elections no later than February next year.
Last week, Abdul Salam Zoubi, Libya's deputy defence minister in the Government of National Unity, and Saddam Haftar, deputy commander of the self-styled Libyan National Army and son of Khalifa Haftar, separately visited Washington.
Zoubi met with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, while Saddam Haftar held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Both meetings focused on efforts to unify Libya's military, economic and political institutions.