On Thursday, the British Ambassador to Libya, Caroline Hurndall stressed the need to engage Libyan parties in an effective political dialogue, that would enable a return to unity and progress towards elections.
“A descent into more violence must be avoided by all,” the Ambassador tweeted.
She also expressed her gratitude to Prime Minister-designate, Fathi Bashagha for speaking with her and the Director of Middle East and North Africa Affairs at the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development, Stephen Hickey.
“Libyan parties need to compromise and agree on a pathway to achieve Parliamentary and Presidential elections,” Hurndall noted. She expressed her concern about the recent violence in Tripoli and Misrata, and called for de-escalation.
She reaffirmed London’s readiness to work with Libya and all international partners on a constructive way forward, both on the ground and at the UN Security Council.
The British Embassy indicated that Hickey and the Mayor of Benghazi, Saqr Bujwari held a meeting during which they exchanged views on ways to enhance bilateral cooperation.
Last week, Tripoli witnessed armed clashes between rival militias, followed by more clashes on Saturday on the outskirts of Misrata. This raised fears about the collapse of the 2020 ceasefire agreement.
The clashes took place a few days after “a rare meeting between senior military leaders from western and eastern Libya to name a single Chief of Staff to unify the military institution.” Several people were killed, including civilians and the clashes resulted in damage to vehicles and homes
Libya has two rival armies present in the East and the West. They were engaged in fierce conflict, before signing an UN-brokered ceasefire agreement in October 2020.
To this day, the country is struggling on its quest for democracy and elections. These were scheduled to take place on 24 December 2021, before they were postponed indefinitely, as rival factions failed to agree on laws governing the elections, and the eligibility of Presidential candidates.