UNSMIL: UN to deploy limited number of impartial, unarmed int'l monitors to Libya

BY

Walaa Ali

-

Sun, 10 Jan 2021 - 12:43 GMT

BY

Walaa Ali

Sun, 10 Jan 2021 - 12:43 GMT

FILE PHOTO: A member of Libya's internationally recognised government forces carries a weapon in Ain Zara, Tripoli, Libya October 14, 2019. REUTERS/Ismail Zitouny/File Photo

FILE PHOTO: A member of Libya's internationally recognised government forces carries a weapon in Ain Zara, Tripoli, Libya October 14, 2019. REUTERS/Ismail Zitouny/File Photo

CAIRO - 10 January 2020: The United Nations Support Mission for Libya (UNSMIL) expected the deployment of a limited number of impartial, unarmed, non-uniformed, international monitors, to complement the Libyan monitors deployed by the 5+5 JMC.

 

The UNSMIL statement reported that the mission said that the monitors' deployment would be per the UN Secretary-General's report to the Security Council on December 30, in which it had proposed ceasefire support arrangements through the establishment of a monitoring component as part of the UN mission.

 

Meanwhile, the Security Working Group (SWG) for Libya, represented by the African Union, France, Italy, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the UNSMIL renewed its call on all parties to accelerate the implementation of the ceasefire, particularly the opening of the Coastal Road between Abu Grein and Sirte, as well as the immediate repatriation of all foreign fighters and mercenaries. 

 

The UNSMIL and SWG confirmed their full support for the Joint Military Commission and full implementation of the ceasefire agreement.

 

The ceasefire agreement reached on October 23 in Geneva is about to collapse, especially since the United Nations Special Envoy, Stephanie Williams, revealed the presence of 20 thousand soldiers or foreign mercenaries in the country, at a time when the conflict has cost since 2011, about $ 578 billion.

 
 
On October 23, the Joint Military Committee (5 + 5), which includes the GNA forces, and the General Command of the Libyan National Army in Geneva signed a permanent ceasefire agreement in the country, provided that the mercenaries and foreign fighters leave Libya within three months from the date of signing.
 
 
Later, it called on the United Nations Security Council to adopt the armistice resolution, with the presence of an international observers committee under the umbrella of the United Nations in participation with it, and this is the first time that a formal agreement has been reached to include observers on a ceasefire.
 
 
It is expected that Guterres’ proposal will be discussed between the two sides to agree on the nationalities of the observers and the nature of their work during the next meeting of the Ten Military Committee.
 
 
Earlier, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs to the European Union, Josep Borrell, stressed the need to support the efforts of the United Nations to ensure the preservation of the ceasefire agreement and said: If the United Nations requests our help to monitor the implementation of this agreement, we will help.
 
 
Since January, Turkey has been transporting Syrian mercenaries into the North African state and has dispatched armed officers and experts to command the operations rooms of the militias affiliated to the Government of National Accord (GNA).
 
 
Oil-rich Libya has been mired in chaos since the ouster and killing of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. It now has two rival authorities and a multitude of militias vying for control of the country.
 
 
The country’s internationally recognized government is based in Tripoli, while Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the Libyan National Army, is supported by a parallel administration based in the east.
 

Comments

0

Leave a Comment

Be Social