Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations, Mohamed Abushahab welcomed the progress achieved in Libya on the constitutional path regarding elections and the thirteenth Constitutional Declaration amendment.
In his speech at the UN Security Council’s meeting on Libya, Abushahab said that the UAE “hopes that the 6+6 Joint Committee meetings in Tripoli will produce tangible results that contribute to laying the legal foundation for the elections process.”
He called on the parties to “set a clear timeframe that fulfils the expectations of the Libyans.” In this context, he commended the role of Egypt in bringing the parties’ views closer.
The Emirati diplomat reiterated the importance of “prioritising reconciliation and dialogue between Libyan parties from all regions.”
He called on the UN Envoy, Abdoulaye Bathily to “continue his efforts and good offices to achieve this goal, including through his recent initiative, to push for an inclusive political process led and owned by Libyans.”
Abushahab also affirmed the UAE’s support for the efforts of the Libyan Presidential Council aimed at “achieving real national reconciliation, as the main pathway to achieve a comprehensive and just political settlement that ends all transitional stages. We stress the importance of ensuring full, meaningful, and equal participation of women in these efforts.”
He confirmed that “establishing security remains a prerequisite to achieving political stability and creating a safe environment for holding simultaneous Presidential and Parliamentary elections that are free, fair, transparent, and inclusive. This requires simultaneous, phased, gradual, and balanced withdrawal of all foreign forces, foreign fighters, and mercenaries from Libya.”
He also commended the efforts made by the UN Mission (UNSMIL) in facilitating and holding the recent meetings of the 5 + 5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) in Tripoli and Benghazi. In addition to the latest meeting between the Chiefs of Staff.
Abushahab added: “All these are important steps forward. We also thank the members of this commission for their devoted spirit, which demonstrated a true Libyan will towards unifying military and security institutions, including through creating a joint military force, while continuing at the same time disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration efforts.
The Ambassador called on the international community to “continue its full support for these Libyan efforts to strengthen tolerance and peaceful coexistence. Libyans, in turn, must reject and address hate speech and extremist voices seeking to undermine reconciliation efforts and recent convergence between the Libyan parties. The interest of the Libyan people and the country’s stability must remain above all considerations.”