Egypt and Tunisia expressed their “complete” keenness on ending the crisis in Libya so that security, stability and sovereignty can be restored there.
Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi and his Tunisian counterpart, Kais Saied discussed the situation in Libya during a telephone call on Wednesday, said Egyptian presidency spokesman Bassam Rady.
They stressed the need for Libya to hold the presidential and parliamentary elections on time in December. They also underscored the need for all foreign fighters and mercenaries to quit the country in line with international agreements.
Meanwhile, the 5+5 Joint Military Committee (JMC) held a second day of meetings in Geneva on Thursday.
US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland hoped that the committee “continues to build on the progress it has already made. The meetings in Geneva are another chance to find common ground on military, security, and fiscal issues that still divide Libya.”
The JMC met to discuss the development of a comprehensive action plan for the withdrawal of mercenaries, foreign fighters and foreign forces from Libya.
In his opening remarks, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Jan Kubis said: “Everyone understands that if you will manage to come together and agree on such an action plan you will be sending a signal, not only to the political leaders and institutions in the country but a signal of hope also to your people that things can move, including towards the elections that should bring a change of all the institutions and authorities of the country based on a strong popular legitimacy.”
“It is a complex issue, as it is not only a concern for Libya, it is also a concern to regional countries and the international community. The UN, along with its international partners, stands ready to support you in this endeavor, to the maximum extent possible, including through the deployment of UN ceasefire monitors, who will work under your guidance and at your request to monitor and verify the withdrawal,” he added.
Separately, head of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdulhamid Dbeibeh was in Qatar where he met with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
He quoted Sheikh Tamim as saying that Qatar will be ready to play a positive role in Libya should it be asked so. He also expressed his support for the elections to be held on time.
Dbeibeh invited Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to take part in the conference on Libya’s stability that is scheduled to be held later in October.
Dbeibeh had kicked off an official two-day visit to Qatar on Wednesday. It is his first to the Gulf state since being appointed to his post. He was accompanied by a delegation that includes the ministers of foreign affairs and finance and head of the National Oil Corporation.
A GNU spokesman said the trip aims at developing relations between Libya and Qatar and exploring opportunities for cooperation in energy and investment.
