On Tuesday, the United Nations Support Mission to Libya (UNSMIL) announced that Jan Kubis took up his official functions as the UN Secretary-General Special Envoy for Libya. It added that he had continued his interactions with Libyan interlocutors, following a telephone call with the Prime Minister of the outgoing Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez Al-Sarraj and his Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed Siyala.
In a statement, UNSMIL said that Kubis also held a telephone conversation with Ageela Saleh, the Speaker of the Libyan Parliament. They discussed the current situation following the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) meeting in Switzerland, and the next steps forward.
Kubis also spoke with the newly-elected Head of the Presidency Council, Mohamed Al-Menfi, and Prime Minister designate Abdel-Hamid Dabiba, discussing ways to ensure a smooth transition of power for the new unified interim executive authority.
The UN envoy noted the intention of Dabiba to form an inclusive and representative cabinet, within the timeline set by the LPDF roadmap. This is set to reflect the richness and diversity of Libyan society, include women and youths, deliver basic services to the people, and focus on national reconciliation. “Of critical importance for the government and the people is to prepare and hold the national elections on 24 December 2021,” he noted.
Kubis also stressed the UN’s commitment to a stable, prosperous, sovereign and unified Libya. As well as building on the momentum generated by positive developments achieved in the past months in the political, security and economic tracks, including a ceasefire agreement through Libyan-led, and Libyan-owned efforts and processes.