The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, discussed issues concerning security and the regional situation, with senior Algerian officials. He stressed the need to revive the transitional process in Libya.
During his visit to Algeria, Le Drian confirmed that he discussed the situation in the Sahel region and Libya, with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
According to a statement on the official website of the Algerian presidency, the lengthy discussions with Tebboune, dealt with several sensitive files.
Last month, Libyan Prime Minister-designate, Fathi Bashagha held talks with the French Special Envoy to Libya, Paul Soler, on the latest political developments in the country.
During the meeting, they agreed on the need to preserve the unity of Libya, hold simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections, and fully implement the ceasefire agreement via the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC).
Bashagha emphasised that his government’s main goal is to hold elections, and fulfil the aspirations of the Libyan people, including living in a stable and democratic country.
In February, France’s Deputy Representative to the United Nations (UN) Security Council, Ambassador Nathalie Estival-Broadhurst, called for the appointment of a new Special Envoy to Libya without delay.
According to a tweet by the French Embassy, Broadhurst said that the appointment of the new Envoy will enable the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to perform its tasks.
She added that Libya is passing through a critical stage in its political transition, after the postponement of the first round of the presidential elections that were scheduled to take place on 24th of December 2021.
“By voting in the Security Council in favour of extending the mission to April, France reaffirms its support for UNSMIL. The Security Council must encourage the Libyans to resolve their differences to allow presidential and parliamentary elections to take place as soon as possible, in accordance with the roadmap of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF), endorsed by Resolution 2570,” she said.
The French diplomat called on “the members of the Security Council to restructure the UNSMIL during the next mandate renewal period.”