The European Union’s Ambassador to Libya, Nicola Orlando called on all concerned parties in Libya to engage in the United Nations initiative for elections.
This comes after UN Envoy, Abdoulaye Bathily’s agreement with Tunisian Foreign Minister, Nabil Ammar, emphasizing the need for Libyan leaders to “agree on a consensual path to conduct elections for peace and prosperity in their homeland.”
In a statement, Orlando reiterated the EU’s ongoing support for Libya’s unity, stability, and prosperity. During his meeting in Tripoli with the Head of the Libyan Presidential Council Mohamed Al-Mnifi, Orlando highlighted a “broad range of pivotal topics in the growing partnership between the EU and Libya.”
Bathily is continuing his local and regional consultations in preparation for a briefing to the United Nations Security Council, scheduled for Thursday. The briefing will discuss political and security developments in Libya.
Bathily, following his meeting with the Tunisian Foreign Minister, expressed gratitude for Tunisia’s hosting and support of the UN Mission and “its role in supporting unity, peace, and stability in Libya.”
The High National Elections Commission (HNEC), on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, affirmed its commitment to “facilitating the electoral process; to enhance their right to equal political participation.”
Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) based in eastern Libya, overlooked American warnings against military reliance on Russian President, Vladimir Putin. On Saturday night, he announced discussions with a Russian military delegation led by Deputy Defense Minister, Yunus-Bek Yevkurov on “joint cooperation avenues between the two countries.” This visit, Yevkurov’s second to Haftar’s headquarters in Benghazi in two months, follows a US State Department official’s warning to Haftar against increasing military cooperation with Russia.
Additionally, Musa Al-Koni, a member of the Presidential Council, stressed the importance of the military academy in building competencies of officers loyal to the nation, rather than the government. During his visit to the Military Academy in Tripoli on Saturday night, Al-Koni viewed the military institution as “the safety valve for defending the nation, preserving its unity, and achieving stability,” drawing lessons from countries whose regimes fell, but whose military institutions remained cohesive.
Meanwhile, Libya’s Oil Minister, Mohamed Aoun, denied any agreements with Egypt regarding a deal signed with South Korea, to re-export Libyan oil. He noted that Libya, with its seven export ports, is close to Europe and does not need an Egyptian port for export. Aoun also revealed “several observations about the strategic plan to develop the Libyan oil sector,” criticizing the National Oil Corporation (NOC) for not responding to his repeated inquiries and accusing its Chairman, Farhat Bengdara of “legal violations and treating the corporation as private property.”