On Saturday, the Head of the United Nations Support Mission to Libya (UNSMIL), Stephanie Williams, said that national reconciliation in Libya should be given top priority during the next phase, confirming that she will support all efforts that aim to achieve lasting peace and restore stability in the country.
In an exclusive interview with “Libya Al-Ahrar” channel, which is affiliated to the Muslim Brotherhood and funded by Qatar, Williams said that UNSMIL has supported the Joint Military Commission’s (JMC) request to deploy unarmed international civilian forces to the Sirte region, noting that Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar agreed on the outcomes of the JMC talks held in Ghadames city last week.
Williams clarified that the ceasefire agreement, signed in Geneva, has been referred to the United Nations, noting that they have guarantees for reaching a Libyan agreement amid serious commitment by the international community to expel all foreign forces from the country.
The UNSMIL head affirmed that there is strong support for the outcomes of both the JMC meetings and the Geneva ceasefire agreement, adding that the military and political tracks are interrelated and aim to lift Libya out of its gruelling conflict that has been going on ever since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
She also pointed out that Libyans must be able to make concessions for the sake of their country, noting that the executive authority during the coming preparatory stage must focus on serving the Libyan people.
The UN official stressed that the exit of mercenaries from Libya is a main demand of the 5+5 JMC, and must be implemented, stating that a special committee was formed in Ghadames to monitor the withdrawal of foreign forces from the country.
Williams told Libya Al-Ahrar TV that the meeting in Tunis will be under the umbrella of the UN resolutions and Berlin Conference conclusions, which are the basis for the ongoing UNSMIL-facilitated tracks.
She said participants will be discussing reaching an agreement on arrangements to be made for holding elections, including the need for a united executive authority as well as a constitutional framework that leads to the elections in question.
“Our goal is to bring back legitimacy to Libyan state bodies via democratic elections. An upcoming new united executive authority will ensure the provision of vital services and pave the way for national reconciliation,” Williams added.
She said there is now a momentum in Libya after the ceasefire agreement and the meeting of the JMC in Ghadames, in addition to the resumption of oil production and exports.