At the opening session of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) in Tunisia, the Acting Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Stephanie Williams said, “We are on the verge of a new Libya after years of tensions, wars, and crises.”
Williams warned that the road will “not be paved with roses” but expressed that the ceasefire agreement has contributed to creating a positive atmosphere for the dialogue.
She explained that the United Nations, and the international community, hope to end the worsening crisis in Libya. The conflict has caused the dispersion of power, and the deterioration of the economic and living situation of the Libyan people.
Libya’s rival factions began much-awaited political peace talks in Tunisia’s capital on Monday. The UN-brokered dialogue is seeking to draw a roadmap to presidential, and parliamentary elections. 75 Libyan participants selected by the UN are taking part in the six-day forum.
The dialogue is based on the UN Security Council Resolution No. 2510 of 2020 which adopted the outcomes of the Berlin Conference on Libya, held on 19 January 2020.