China’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dai Bing called on Libya’s rival parties to commit to peace, and refrain from any action that may complicate the tense situation.
He stated that the 11-year-old conflict in Libya has brought disastrous consequences to its people with far-reaching spillover effects on Africa, the Sahel region, and the Mediterranean.
“It is the shared hope of the Libyan people and the international community for the peace process to stay on the right course, make continued progress, and achieve lasting peace as soon as possible,” Dai Bing said.
“The current ceasefire in Libya has been hard-won. A relapse into conflict will unravel all the gains of peace over the past two years,” warned Dai Bing.
He added that China has noted that all parties in Libya have generally stayed calm, and exercised restraint at this critical moment. “China hopes that they will continue to seek political settlement and avoid taking any action that may complicate the situation,” he said.
He called on all parties that have influence on the situation in Libya to adhere to Libyan-led and Libyan-owned principles, and play an active and constructive role in this regard.
The Chinese diplomat also urged the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), to continue to work with the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC), in conducting ceasefire monitoring.
He called for the withdrawal of foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libya without delay in a “phased, balanced, orderly, and organized manner.”
“China encourages UNSMIL to continue to actively facilitate peace talks. China supports in principle the renewal of UNSMIL’s mandate and calls for the appointment of a UN Special Envoy for Libya as soon as possible,” he said.