The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) stressed the need for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libya. The PSC also underscored the need to ensure that the withdrawal is conducted in an organized, coordinated and gradual manner.
In a statement, the African Union expressed its concern about the impact of the exodus of foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya to other countries and regions in Africa, which constitutes a serious security threat.
The PSC warned that it will not hesitate to name and shame those who continue to fuel the conflict in Libya, including through the supply of arms and military equipment, thus violating the United Nations (UN) arms embargo.
The PSC confirmed the expected impact of the withdrawal of foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya on the Sahel region and the rest of Africa. It rejected any interference in Libya’s internal affairs, calling for an immediate cessation of external interference.
It urged the Libyan parties to take efforts to ensure the holding of free, fair and inclusive parliamentary and presidential elections on December 24th. The PSC called for implementing it in accordance with the roadmap of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF).
It called on the member states and partners to provide the necessary support to the High National Electoral Commission (HNEC) in Libya. The PSC asked the AU Commission to work closely with the Libyan authorities and to provide the necessary support to conduct the elections in a timely manner.
The PSC explained that it looks forward to the next Libyan ministerial meeting on October 21st, 2021, which aims to strengthen the international consensus for a comprehensive withdrawal of foreign elements from Libya, and the reunification of Libyan military institutions.
The PSC called for cooperation between the AU and the UN, in cooperation with neighbouring countries, in developing and implementing a plan for the withdrawal of foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya.