On Friday, the Arab League welcomed the statements by Libyan Parliament Speaker, Ageela Saleh, and the Prime Minister of the Government of the National Accord (GNA), Fayez Al-Sarraj. The two both declared a ceasefire in their statements, as well as an immediate halt to all military operations nationwide.
In a statement, the Arab League urged the two parties to jointly work on reaching a comprehensive resumption of oil production, exportation, and the fair distribution of its revenues for the benefit of all Libyans. It also called for an end to the current conflict and ask parties to it to achieve an integrated settlement of the Libyan crisis.
In press statements, an official source at the League’s General Secretariat described the announcement as a positive step. The source expressed his hope that this will lead to a speedy conclusion of the ongoing negotiations between the GNA, and the Libyan National Army (LNA), within the framework of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission. This is to reach an official, permanent, and comprehensive ceasefire agreement, under the auspices and supervision of the United Nations.
He also stressed the importance of preserving the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Libyan state, ending foreign military intervention, expelling all mercenaries and foreign forces and addressing the threat posed by armed groups and militias in the country.
The source reiterated the League’s commitment to support any efforts aimed at stabilising the country, and resuming an inclusive and purely national political dialogue between the Libyan people, under the auspices of the UN Support Mission in Libya.
The GNA, which is based in the west of the country, issued a statement on Friday morning announcing a ceasefire across the country. It also called for the demilitarisation of the contested strategic cities of Sirte and Al-Jufrah, which is controlled by the LNA
In a separate statement, Ageela Saleh, also called for a ceasefire. Both administrations called for an end to the oil blockade imposed, earlier this year. The Tripoli-based government also called for parliamentary and presidential elections to be held in March.