Like much of the world, Libya is preparing for Donald Trump’s second term as US president. The presence of the Russian and Turkish militaries in Libya, UN-led efforts at political dialogue, international energy security and the potential expansion of the Abraham Accords to include Libya are key issues the Trump administration is likely to address.

While Libya is unlikely to top Trump’s Middle East and North Africa policy agenda, its complex geopolitical entanglements and the involvement of numerous regional parties and US allies should make it a topic of discussion. On Nov. 6, after it was confirmed that Trump won the election, Libyan stakeholders began reaching out to his campaign and transition teams. Sources told Al-Monitor that the Libyan National Army (LNA) has already established high-level communication channels with Trump’s transition team. Meanwhile, sources in Tripoli confirmed that the Presidential Council’s congratulatory letter to Trump had not yet received a response. 

Outreach to Trump

Other sources revealed that Saif Islam al-Gadhafi's  team has also been in contact with Trump’s team, aiming to rebuild connections established in 2009 when the Gadhafi regime sought to lodge in New York City for the UN General Assembly. At that time, the delegation rented part of Trump’s Seven Springs estate in Bedford, New York, intending to erect a Bedouin-style tent. Saif al-Islam’s team is now leveraging Trump’s opposition to the 2011 NATO intervention in Libya and his criticism of the International Criminal Court as potential common ground to positively engage with the new administration.