The Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSML), Abdoulaye Bathily recently convened a series of meetings with accredited ambassadors in Libya, focusing on the political situation and the proposed quintet meeting aimed at resolving disputes impeding the electoral process.
Bathily’s call for a quintet meeting, which includes the Libyan Parliament, the High Council of State (HCS), the Presidential Council, the Government of National Unity (GNU), and the Libyan National Army (LNA), is a strategic move to address the electoral disputes.
The Parliament and the LNA expressed reservations, citing the exclusion of the Libyan Parliament-designated government from the meeting.
Recently, international attention towards the Libyan issue had waned due to conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. However, renewed momentum is evident through Bathily’s recent meetings, reinvigorating global focus on Libya.
In a significant meeting with European Union Ambassador Nicola Orlando, Bathily discussed Libya’s concerning situation. They agreed on the need for Libyan leaders and international partners to recommit to a political settlement aimed at resolving the protracted crisis.
Bathily emphasised the political and moral responsibility of Libyan leaders to fulfil their people’s aspirations for unified, legitimate institutions, and effective management of national resources. He urged the international community to present a united front in supporting this endeavour.
Meetings with Russian Ambassador Aydar Aganin and Egyptian Ambassador Tamer Mostafa focused on the current political, security, and economic situations in Libya. Both meetings underlined the urgency for Libyan parties to engage in a political settlement for national elections.
Additionally, Bathily exchanged views with French Ambassador Mostafa Mihraje, discussing political, economic, and security situations. They urged Libyan leaders to rise to the challenge of entering into dialogue to avoid numerous risks threatening their nation, reaffirming their joint commitment to all facets of the Libyan peace process.
Further consultations were held with Tunisian Ambassador Asaad Al-Ajili and German Ambassador Michael Ohnmacht, where the current situation in Libya was reviewed. Both meetings reiterated calls for Libyan leaders to join the dialogue process to end the political crisis and pave the way for elections, peace, stability, and prosperity.
Lastly, Bathily met with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Joost Klarenbeek. They reviewed the current situations and agreed on urging Libyan leaders to commit to a settlement to end the ongoing crisis through negotiation.