Just in recent weeks, fighters allied to Libya's internationally recognised Government of National Accord have made significant gains against their rivals in the Libyan National Army, led by self-proclaimed Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.

As various would-be mediators attempted to fill the leadership void - from French president Emmanuel Macron to Italy's prime minister, Giuseppe Conte - Haftar's Libyan National Army slowly consolidated its grip on large parts of the country.

When it appeared that Salamé would try to circumvent Haftar and start a national dialogue process, the Libyan National Army launched its assault on Tripoli last April with backing from Egypt, the UAE and Russia.

There was hope that Germany could parlay its neutrality to bring Libya's internationally recognised prime minister, Fayez al-Serraj, and Haftar together along with their main backers, respectively Turkey and Russia.

Given Haftar's recent declaration of military rule over the areas he controls, darker days could be ahead, especially when external powers insist on playing out their great game for the Middle East in Libya.