On Wednesday, the Director of the Moral Guidance Department of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Major General Khaled Al-Mahjoub said that the Deputy Russian Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov stressed Moscow’s readiness to contribute to the stability of Libya.
During his meeting with 5 + 5 Libyan Joint Military Commission (JMC) in Moscow, Bogdanov added that he looked forward to the success of the commission’s work to achieve the aspirations of the Libyan people in maintaining the security of the country. The talks were attended by members of the UN mission (UNSMIL), and representatives of the Russian Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence. They also touched on the ceasefire agreement signed in Geneva, which stressed the need to withdraw all foreign forces and mercenaries to secure Libya’s sovereignty.
On Sunday, a member of the JMC, Lieutenant-General Faraj Al-Sawa confirmed that Turkey has accepted a request to withdraw its-affiliated foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya. This is on the condition that all foreign forces will withdraw simultaneously.
“During these talks, the JMC addressed the Turkish side with a request about the necessary withdrawal of its affiliated mercenaries, in accordance with the plan set by us to achieve Libya’s national sovereignty,” he confirmed in statements with Sputnik.
He noted that Ankara welcomed the request based on the principle of national sovereignty, which cannot be implemented without a coordinated and simultaneous withdrawal of foreign troops.
The official noted that the JMC had departed for Moscow with the same initiative, as per the UN Security Council resolutions which support the commission’s decision provided the pullout will be monitored by international and local observers.
Last year, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) brokered inclusive political consultations between Libya’s political rivals, which resulted in the creation of the JMC. This October, the commission backed a comprehensive Action Plan for the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries from the country.