UN and international confirmations regarding exit of mercenaries, foreign fighters from Libya

CAIRO - 31 January 2020: On January 28, a session of the UN Security Council was conducted on the situation in Libya by video conference, the majority of its members, including the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and India, called for the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya and stressed the necessity of respecting the arms embargo imposed since 2011.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-general of the United Nations in Libya Stephanie Williams' speech tackled the humanitarian situation and financial demands, and the success of the ceasefire agreement in Libya, praising the economic reforms and calling for the dissolution of the parallel executive authority.

Williams also announced that the ceasefire signed in Geneva in October 2020 is still in effect; however society is still facing the repercussions of the war, explaining the ceasefire agreement represents a key opportunity for mine clearance.

Williams pointed out that the Joint Military Committee continues to stress, in public statements, the need to deport all mercenaries and foreign fighters from all Libyan lands immediately.

She indicated that the Military Committee would continue its work to complete the implementation of the agreement, noting that the internal Libyan dialogue has led to tangible progress through integrated political, military, and economic tracks.

She expressed his concern regarding "the continuation of the fortifications and defensive sites established by the Libyan Arab Armed Forces within Al-Qardabiyah Air Base in Sirte and along the Sirte Al-Jafra axis in central Libya."

She also expressed growing concern over the establishment of the Presidency Council in Tripoli in mid-January to a new security structure that impedes the efforts conducted by the Joint Military Committee, which aims to enable the state to achieve security.

Williams called on the Government of National Accord and the Libyan Armed Forces to fully assume their responsibilities and completely implement the ceasefire agreement, as the matter is left to the political and military leadership of both sides and not the Joint Military Committee.

She reiterated the Secretary-general's call to all regional and international actors to respect “the provisions of the ceasefire agreement.”

While the Acting Representative of the United States to the United Nations Ambassador Richard Mills considered that "a comprehensive political solution through negotiation is the only way to end the conflict," stressing that the United Nations’ political process remains the only viable platform for achieving peace and national reconciliation in Libya.

In his speech to the United Nations Security Council, Mills said Libya was facing a critical turning point, national elections and an end to the conflict.

The French delegate to the United Nations criticized the failure to open the coastal road between Sirte and Misrata under the ceasefire agreement, noting that armed elements and foreign interventions did not respect the agreement signed in October, describing the matter as "unacceptable", calling for foreign fighters to leave the Libyan territories.