Pakistan becomes a go-between for conflicting Libyan factions.

A Reuters report says Pakistan has discreetly taken on a diplomatic role mediating between opposing eastern and western administrations in Libya, a move that might further burnish Islamabad’s international credentials if successful.

The mediation effort comes after months of US-backed attempts to find a political settlement in Libya, which has been divided between rival eastern and western administrations since the civil conflict that broke out after the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi.

It comes on the heels of Pakistan’s major contribution to promoting negotiations between the United States and Iran earlier this year, an action that drew repeated acclaim from the administration of Donald Trump.

Pakistani sources quoted by Reuters said the United States was “fully aware and involved” in Islamabad’s mediation efforts in Libya. Saudi Arabia is also said to be supporting the plan. Last year Pakistan and Saudi Arabia struck a defence deal to boost bilateral ties.

Sources familiar with the subject said Pakistan’s mediation attempts started late last year after both warring Libyan factions asked Islamabad to help. The extent to which Pakistan’s initiative has been coordinated with other regional players is not apparent.

The military’s propaganda arm, Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Libyan officials from both the eastern and western administrations and the foreign ministries of Qatar, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and the United States have yet to comment on the claimed mediation.

Last month, Libyan military head Saddam Haftar met head of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir in Rawalpindi, before travelling to Washington to meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio days later.

The US State Department commended Libyan authorities for their efforts to bridge political divides during the meeting and restated Washington’s support for a unified and stable Libya.

Pakistan has also explored defence collaboration with the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), including the sale of JF-17 fighter aircraft and Super Mushak trainer planes, in defiance of the UN arms embargo on Libya.

Meanwhile, the western-based Government of National Unity (GNU) in Libya has also sought direct cooperation with Pakistan. Qatar and Türkiye, both major backers of the GNU, urged Pakistan to play a mediating role in a bid to assist resolve the long-running political conflict in Libya, two Pakistani sources said.