Mohamed Taha Siala

Mohamed Taher Siala (Arabic: محمد طاهر سيالة; born 27 May 1943) is a Libyan politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Libya in the Government of National Accord from 2016 to 2021.

Mohamed Taher Siala
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office
14 May 2016 – 15 March 2021
Prime MinisterFayez al-Sarraj
Preceded byMohammed al-Dairi
Succeeded byNajla Mangoush
Personal details
Born (1943-05-27) May 27, 1943
NationalityLibyan
*Siala's term is disputed by Mohammed al-Dairi since January 2016.

Foreign minister of Libya

Siala was one of the eighteen ministers appointed as part of the internationally-recognized Government of National Accord, in January–February 2016, with the objective of reuniting Libya.[1] Before that he was an official in the pre-2011 government of Libya.[2]

He met with Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General of NATO, in June 2016 in Brussels, where they discussed the security situation in Libya and possible military assistance to the GNA.[3] He also met with Federica Mogherini, the European Union's head of foreign affairs, and Didier Reynders, the minister of foreign affairs of Belgium. They discussed issues of security, human trafficking in Libya, and the appointment of a new Libyan ambassador to the EU.[4]

In March 2017, he accompanied the GNA vice premier, Ahmed Maiteeq, to a meeting in Moscow with the Special Representative of the President of Russia for the Middle East and Africa, Mikhail Bogdanov. There they discussed the ongoing Libyan crisis and solutions for resolving the conflict, including the possibility of negotiations between the GNA and the Tobruk-based House of Representatives.[5] This was part of an effort to improve relations between Russia and the Libyan GNA, as currently their rivals, the House of Representatives and Marshal Khalifa Haftar, have close relations with the country.[6]

During a press conference in Algiers on 9 May 2017, Siala named Marshal Haftar as the commander-in-chief of the Libyan army, then clarified that the GNA would give him that position if he recognizes the UN-supported government.[2][7]

Siala met with a delegation of Estonian members of parliament on 2 November 2017, led by former Estonian foreign minister Keit Pentus-Rosimannus. She stated that a political solution in Libya was important for the EU and Estonia, and also affirmed Estonia's support for Libyan efforts against smuggling of weapons and drugs. In the Libyan foreign minister's opinion, it is necessary for a constitutional referendum as well as elections to be held to determine the country's future.[8] At a summit held in Bolivia on November 24, he met with Iranian Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, stating that both sides want to deepen Iran–Libya relations.[9]

In early 2018 he met with British Ambassador Frank Baker to discuss reconstruction efforts in Libya.[10]

See also

References
  1. PC announces 18 members unity government. Libya Prospect. Published 15 February 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  2. Hanly, Ken (9 May 2017). Op-Ed: Libyan unity government foreign minister's claim creates trouble. Digital Journal. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  3. NATO Secretary General and Libyan Foreign Minister discuss how NATO can support Libya. NATO News. Published 17 June 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  4. Support for Libyan security at centre of Mohamed Siala’s Brussels meetings. Libya Herald. Published 17 June 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  5. О встрече спецпредставителя Президента Российской Федерации по Ближнему Востоку и странам Африки, заместителя Министра иностранных дел России М.Л.Богданова с Вице-премьером Правительства национального согласия Ливии А.Майтигом | On the meeting of Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for the Middle East and countries of Africa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia M.L. Bogdanov with Vice-Premier of the Government of National Accord of Libya, A. Maiteeq. 2 March 2017. Russian Foreign Ministry.
  6. Russia urges 'national dialogue' at Libya PM meeting. Yahoo News. Published 2 March 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  7. GNA Foreign Minister names Haftar army chief, receives wave of criticism. Libyan Express. Published 9 May 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  8. Estonian MPs meet with Libyan foreign minister. ERR. Published 2 November 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  9. Iranian VP, Libyan FM Discuss Closer Ties. Tasnim News. Published 25 November 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  10. GNA Foreign Minister discusses reconstruction projects in Libya with British ambassador. Arreadig.com. Published 18 February 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
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