Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry received the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Abdoulaye Bathily.
During the meeting, Shoukry and Bathily discussed the latest developments in the Libyan crisis.
Ahmed Abu Zeid, the official Spokesman of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, affirmed that there are “intense efforts made by Egypt to advance the political process in Libya, on the basis of respect for the legitimate institutions, legal frameworks, and the will of the Libyan people.”
Notably, Bathily met with the General Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi.
According to a statement by Bathily, the two sides discussed the political, security, and social situation in Libya. “We agreed that it is imperative that all parties engage constructively, and without delay, to establish a constitutional framework to facilitate free, fair, and transparent elections in 2023,” he tweeted.
Bathily encouraged Haftar to continue support for the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC). As well as commending his commitment to back the implementation of the action plan for the withdrawal of all foreign forces, and mercenaries.
“This will contribute to sustainable peace and stability in Libya,” Bathily explained
The two agreed on the critical need to unify state institutions, including the military. As well as ensure national resources are managed transparently, for the benefit of all Libyans.
On Monday, the Speaker of the Libyan Parliament, Ageela Saleh said that he “sees an amendment to the Constitutional Declaration as a constitutional basis, upon which the Presidential and Parliamentary elections will be held.”
During a session in Benghazi, Saleh continued: “We contacted the High Council of the State (HCS), and they received a copy of the amendment proposal from us. We hope that they will support this amendment, to achieve the interest of the country and take into account all the political and economic conditions of society.”
He called on MP’s to “work on the speedy preparation of the constitutional basis,” pointing to “conspiracies against the Parliament, which will not abandon the country’s unity, and rejects foreign interference.”