Exclusive Interview with Libyan Businessman and Presidential Candidate Abdullah Biayou
Conducted from Paris by journalist Fatima Belarbi, for Diplomatique magazine.
Amid the ongoing deterioration of the Libyan political landscape and a deep-seated stalemate that has suffocated the aspirations of Libyans for years, Diplomacy magazine sat down with presidential candidate Abdelhakim Baayou. A well-known businessman, Baayou was the first to officially announce his candidacy for the 2020/2021 presidential elections. Backed by both the Libyan Parliament and State institutions as a candidate for prime minister, he also leads the National “Reconstruction of Libya” Party. Hailing from Misrata — a city known for its complex political and social fabric — Baayou presents himself as a centrist alternative committed to rebuilding the state on solid national foundations.
Fatima Belarbi:
Tripoli has once again returned to the forefront of armed confrontations, in a scene that entrenches the logic of “the balance of weapons” instead of the state. How do you view this reality? And what can you offer to dismantle this system?
Abdelhakim Biayou :
What is happening in Tripoli is not merely security unrest but reflects a deep structure of division and a “war economy.” What we propose is a project to re-establish the security and military institutions on a unified national basis — not regional or factional. We will not confront the reality head-on but work to dismantle it legally, with broad popular and societal support. We cannot build a state while weapons remain outside legitimacy.
Fatima Belarbi:
Every time talk of elections or restructuring institutions arises, confrontations erupt. In your opinion, is someone deliberately obstructing the political process? And who bears the responsibility?
Abdelhakim Biayou :
Some tie their survival to chaos — and this has become clear to everyone. The current political system flees from any real change, whether through elections or institutional unification. We hold accountable anyone who hides behind weapons instead of the people. We are betting on genuine internal pressure coming from the Libyan street — not top-down understandings that collapse with the first armed clash.
Fatima Belarbi:
The Dbeibeh government is accused of security weakness and collusion with some armed factions. Do you agree with this assessment? And how would you deal with this legacy if you assumed the presidency?
Abdelhakim Biayou :
We will not engage in personal evaluations, but the security reality speaks for itself. The coming phase requires a decisive transition from coexisting with armed groups to containing or dismantling them under the umbrella of the state. This is not done with promises, but with practical measures that enforce the rule of law and protect the people’s choices.
Fatima Belarbi:
The multiplicity of governments and the conflict of legitimacies have weakened the state and confused the scene. What are your first steps to reunify the governance institutions? And do you have a practical vision for that?
Abdelhakim Biayou :
We propose forming a small unity government with a lifespan not exceeding 18 months, including major actors from various regions. Our priorities are unifying the Central Bank, the National Oil Corporation, and the Audit Bureau as entry points to rebuild trust. There can be no reform without unity in financial and sovereign decision-making.
Fatima Belarbi:
UN and Maghreb initiatives, including the Skhirat Agreement and Bouznika rounds, did not achieve stability. In your opinion, is it time to reshape these paths? And what is Morocco’s position in your vision of a solution?
Abdelhakim Biayou :
We appreciate Morocco’s role and do not forget that the Skhirat Agreement and Bouznika meetings provided space for dialogue when the horizon was blocked. But yes, today we need a new framework that starts from within Libya, not from repeated international approaches. Morocco remains an honest partner, but the success of any initiative depends on the readiness of the Libyan parties themselves to abandon narrow gains.
Fatima Belarbi:
Many Libyans have lost trust in the political class — and even in the elections themselves. How will you convince the public of the viability of your project? And what sets you apart from your predecessors?
Abdelhakim Biayou :
Trust is built through honesty first, and results second. I am not a product of the current power system — I come from the heart of the Libyan economy and understand what it means for a state to collapse. What sets me apart is that I am not seeking power without a project, nor a presidency in a divided country. My project is to restore a Libya where the Libyan lives without fear, without extortion, and without guardianship.
Analytical Conclusion — From Paris to Tripoli: Does Biayou Carry the Project of the State?
Through this interview, Abdullah Biayou presents himself as a rational alternative, balancing economic realism with a vision to reform state institutions. But the biggest bet remains his ability to convince Libyans — not just elites — that his project is not mere rhetoric, but an actionable option.
In a Libyan scene exhausted by arms and empty promises, could Biayou be the first to open the door to politics from outside militias and loyalties? The coming months will provide the answer.
