France has expressed support for the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and its mediation efforts to resolve the crisis surrounding the Central Bank of Libya.
In a statement, the French Foreign Ministry urged all parties involved to cooperate in good faith to reach a settlement.
The ministry warned that the ongoing crisis threatens Libya’s economic stability, security, and its relationships with international financial institutions. It cautioned that if the situation continues, severe consequences could impact the Libyan population, particularly in terms of access to essential goods.
The statement highlighted that lasting political, economic, and security stability in Libya can only be achieved by resuming the political process and forming a unified government capable of organising presidential and parliamentary elections, in line with the wishes of the Libyan people.
In a related development, US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland praised his “valuable consultations” in Ankara with Turkey’s Deputy Foreign Minister Burhanettin Duran. Norland said the discussions focused on how the international community can support UN-facilitated negotiations in Libya, not only to address the current central bank crisis but also to resolve deeper political divisions, thereby securing a stable and democratic future for the Libyan people.
On Thursday, Turkish Intelligence Chief İbrahim Kalın visited Tripoli, where he held a series of meetings with Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity Abdel-Hamid Dbiaba, and Deputy Presidential Council members Moussa Al-Koni and Abdullah Al-Lafi, to discuss the latest political developments in Libya.
These statements come amid escalating disagreements over the Presidential Council’s decisions to replace the Central Bank’s governor and board, and the incomplete talks held by UNSMIL with representatives from the House of Representatives, the High Council of State, and the Presidential Council.
