On Saturday, the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Ján Kubiš, said that the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) intends to develop an implementation plan and mechanism for the gradual, balanced, and sequenced departure of all mercenaries, foreign fighters, and foreign forces. It aims to do this through consultations and negotiations with Libya’s neighbors and other international partners.
During his opening remarks at the JMC’s meeting in Cairo, Kubiš said that the Action Plan was acknowledged at the Stabilization Initiative Conference which was held in Tripoli on the 21st of October. This occurred in the presence of Foreign Ministers or their representatives including those of Chad, Niger, and Sudan, as well as of representatives from the JMC who presented the Action Plan.
The Head of UNSMIL confirmed that the JMC has laid the foundation for peace and political processes including the elections in Libya.
“Our meeting today, and the meetings and consultations that will follow, are only the first steps in the way of preparing a concrete implementation plan for the withdrawal of all mercenaries, foreign fighters, and foreign forces from Libya. It is also important in light of the forthcoming parliamentary and presidential elections,” Kubiš noted.
The UN diplomat pointed out that UNSMIL has consistently engaged in efforts with the aim of helping Libya to restore its stability, unity, and full sovereignty.
He added that, “these efforts, in close coordination with our Libyan friends and cooperation with international partners including our Egyptian partners, resulted in a critical milestone – the Ceasefire Agreement on the 23rd of October 2020, adopted by the JMC.”
Kubiš stressed that from that date till now, the UN mission along with the JMC have exerted relentless efforts aimed at the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement starting from maintaining the ceasefire in Libya. This also includes opening the airspace, exchanging detainees, a joint effort in securing the Great Man-made River, and the opening of the coastal road.
The Action Plan is a Libya plan agreed by the JMC and supported by the Libyan authorities. It is a nationally owned and led instrument with concrete ideas and parameters on how to implement it. The plan is a critical step for the long and arduous process on the way to sustainable peace, stability, security, cooperation, and development in Libya and the region.