UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has urged for the departure of all foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libya by Saturday, and the full and unconditional respect of the UN’s arms embargo.
He also called for the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), “to maintain their resolve in reaching a lasting political solution to the conflict, resolving economic issues, and alleviating the humanitarian situation.”
In a report to the Security Council, Guterres encouraged all countries involved in the conflict, and the wider international community to support the implementation of the ceasefire “without delay.” In October 2020, the LNA and GNA signed a UN-brokered ceasefire agreement in Geneva.
Turkey supports the GNA, politically and militarily by providing weapons, military training and mercenaries to bolster its forces. The LNA is primarily supported by Egypt, France and the UAE.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that Turkey has transferred more than 18,000 mercenaries from Syria to western Libya; including former IS and Al-Qaeda fighters. It noted that about 8,000 mercenaries remain in GNA controlled areas.