Stabilization Team

His reputation for collaborative leadership, consensus building, and getting things done during this critical period received widespread praise and culminated in the approval of the Libya Stabilization Plan.

While true peace has proven elusive in Libya, Nayed’s embrace of hope and optimism for the future of Libya remain unchanged. He continues to devote his work towards defending and democracy and pursuing meaningful peace based on forgiveness, compassion, and reconciliation.

In March 2011, Nayed established support offices for the National Transitional Council staffed by volunteer Libyan technical teams. Led by Nayed, the technical teams were tasked with defining stabilization plans for key sectors such as security, energy, and foreign relations.

The support offices played a key role in gaining recognition for the National Transitional Council from the international community and seeking humanitarian assistance. Following the London Conference on Libya at the end of March, the Libya Contact Group was established to unify international intervention efforts in Libya. Nayed supported the attendance of National Transitional Council officials and participated in a number of meetings that led to international backing for a stabilization roadmap and secured country-wide support for the National Transitional Council.

At the first Contact Group meeting in Doha, Nayed and National Transitional Council officials obtained an agreement from Contact Group members to establish a Temporary Financial Mechanism (TFM) through which international donors could provide financial assistance to Libya.

The support offices played a prominent role in developing the structure and processes for the TFM which were later approved at the second Libya Contact Group meeting in Rome. The first Contact Group Meeting was followed by a pivotal meeting of the European Union Foreign Ministers at which Aref and National Transitional Council officials received the European Union’s support for stabilization efforts and agreement to provide humanitarian assistance.

In parallel with engaging the international community’s support for stabilization efforts, the support offices for the National Transitional Council also worked around the clock to ensure continuity of public services. Technical teams provided assistance to Libyan communities to ensure continuity of financial and telecommunications services, medical care, and oil production. For example, the support office worked closely with Libyana to restore mobile phone services in Benghazi. The support office also obtained international assistance to establish a temporary 50-bed hospital in Misrata to tend to the wounded.

The Team Developed and Gained National Support for the Libya Stabilization Plan

At the end of May, Aref’s role in the National Transitional Council was expanded to include the leadership of a team to develop a national plan for stabilizing the country. Nayed convened a number of volunteer Libyan experts in Benghazi to develop the Libya Stabilization Plan to secure the continuity of vital public services such as utilities, healthcare, education, telecommunications, law enforcement, food supply, infrastructure, and waste management. 

Nayed’s team met with stakeholders in Tripoli and throughout the country to assess their needs and gain support. At the end of May, for example, he organized a meeting attended by 800 members of the Tebu and Tuareg communities to determine humanitarian needs and develop a plan for stabilizing their communities.

His efforts in developing the Libya Stabilization Plan positioned the National Transitional Council well in meetings with the International Stabilization Response Team of the Libya Contact Group. Rather than have international experts prioritize where assistance was needed, the Libya Stabilization Plan developed by Nayed’s team ensured that Libyans defined the areas in which international humanitarian and technical assistance could be most beneficial. In cooperation with international experts, the Libya Stabilization Plan was further developed so that comprehensive plans for vital public services could be presented at the Fourth Contact Group meeting.

The Libya Stabilization Plan was praised by diplomats from the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, and other countries. Nayed’s team arranged a follow up meeting with international stabilization experts to gain further international buy-in for the Plan and identify immediate security and humanitarian needs. Nayed chaired a subsequent meeting in Paris with international organizations, such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and other bilateral agencies, to coordinate their work according to the Libya Stabilization Plan.

When Nayed was appointed Ambassador of Libya to the United Arab Emirates in early August, he continued supporting the implementation of the Libya Stabilization Plan while also performing his diplomatic duties. On August 21, the Libya Stabilization Plan was launched at a press conference covered by all major media networks in Libya and internationally. As the National Transitional Council had established several interim ministries to implement the Libya Stabilization Plan by this time, Nayed and the support team handed over all work to the relevant ministries.

In late August, Nayed led the first operational meetings between the National Transitional Council and the United Nations to discuss assistance in meeting urgent water, medicine, and food needs. The meeting resulted in an implementation plan for United Nations assistance to Libya and reestablished the bilateral relationship between the United Nations and Libya. To solidify the United Nations’ support for Libya, this meeting was followed up with a visit to Libya by the United Nations Secretary General.

Aref’s Record Thus Far

As Leader of the Libya Stabilization Team

• Aref Nayed led the Libya Stabilization Team which gained international recognition for the national transitional council and support for the Libya Stabilization Plan
• Aref Nayed’s commitment to building peaceful, stable, and mutually beneficial relationships secured international support for the Libya Stabilization Plan and recognition of the National Transitional Council
• Aref Nayed’s support for Libya’s interim government Increased confidence in the National Transitional Council which led to recognition as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people
• Aref Nayed worked tirelessly to re-establish the authority of national defense and security agencies after the Revolution with support from international donors
• Aref Nayed strengthened relationships with several Arab nations which provided critical humanitarian support and technical assistance
• Aref Nayed secured international and domestic support for the recognition of the National Transitional Council as the sole, legitimate representative of the Libyan people
• Aref Nayed believes in an inclusive consultative approach to defining Libya’s future and stabilizing the country
• Aref Nayed supports the role of local government in enabling Libya’s democracy and promoting more effective government service delivery
• Aref Nayed was an early supporter of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s intervention but only supports ongoing international assistance that honors the principles of state sovereignty and non-intervention
• Aref Nayed sought international support For stabilizing Libya after the February Revolution and unfreezing assets
• Aref Nayed advocates full transparency of international assistance so political development and sovereignty are safeguarded