United Nations
21 Apr 2021, 03:51 GMT+10
The UN and international partners have welcomed significant progress towards advancing an inclusive and comprehensive political solution in Libya
The members of the Libya Quartet - which brings together the UN, the League of Arab States, the African Union and the European Union - met virtually on Tuesday to take stock of the situation in the country.
"After years of senseless violence and suffering, there is a window of opportunity in Libya," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres wrote after the meeting. "We stand with the people of Libya and pledge to work with them to help build a better future."
The UN has been supporting peace efforts in Libya, which descended into chaos and conflict following the overthrow of President Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, resulting in the country being divided between the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) and the rival Libyan National Army (LNA).
Mediation facilitated by the UN led to an historic ceasefire agreement, signed last October by military representatives from each side, known as the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC), paving the way to political dialogue and a roadmap that includes elections in December.
A new interim unity government was sworn in last month.
The Libya Quartet met just days after the UN Security Council passed a resolution endorsing the Secretary-General's proposal to support the ceasefire monitoring mechanism. It calls for teams from the UN's mission in the country, UNSMIL, to work alongside JMC monitors.
Following their meeting, Quartet members issued a joint communique which said they applauded the important outcomes of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF), the adoption of the Roadmap for the Preparatory Phase of a Comprehensive Solution, and the smooth transfer of power to the new interim authority.
The Quartet also expressed full support for efforts to implement the LPDF Roadmap and successfully complete Libya's democratic transition. They encouraged the unity government, and other institutions, to uphold their commitment to appoint women in at least 30 per cent of senior positions, and to promote rights-based reconciliation throughout the country.
The partners also welcomed the new leadership's commitment to holding the 24 December elections, and discussed how they could support the process, including through possible deployment of observer missions.
"They emphasized the importance of conducting these elections in a favorable political and security environment so that they are held in an inclusive, transparent and credible manner and where all Libyans commit to respect their results and integrity."
The communique called for stepped up efforts to fully implement the ceasefire agreement, and underlined the importance of the JMC further developing plans "for a robust, credible and effective" ceasefire monitoring mechanism.
"The Quartet condemned the continued violations of the UN arms embargo and emphasized that all external military intervention in Libya is unacceptable," it said.
"They called in this regard for full compliance with the arms embargo and the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries from the entirety of Libya's territory in accordance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council and in a manner that fully restores Libya's sovereignty and preserves its national unity, independence and territorial integrity."
Get a daily dose of Mexico Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Mexico Star.
More InformationGOTHENBURG, Sweden: Volvo Cars is stepping up its collaboration with Google to become the lead development partner for Android automotive...
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], May 28 (ANI): Actor Kamal Haasan talked about the upcoming film 'Thug Life' and shared his working...
Guwahati (Assam) [India], May 28 (ANI): The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to Assam...
Surat (Gujarat) [India], May 28: In accordance with the directive of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam Minister for Water Resources,...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 28 (ANI): The monsoon, which usually hits Maharashtra around June 11, arrived in the state in 15...
New Delhi [India], May 28 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Assam State Human Rights Commission to inquire into all...
CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico: In a first-of-its-kind judicial election in Mexico, more than 5,000 candidates are vying for over 840 federal...
ZERMATT, Switzerland: Five skiers were found dead on a mountain in Switzerland near the popular ski resort of Zermatt, officials said...
TORONTO, Canada - Tens of thousands of people from across Canada have marched in support of Israel in a massive turnout in Toronto....
BOSTON, Massachusetts: U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has taken away Harvard University's right to enroll international...
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said he believed God was behind his election loss in 2020, even though he has...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Passenger numbers at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey have dropped sharply, according to...