France, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States declared Saturday their full support to the “ongoing efforts” of the United Nation Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and its envoy Ghassan Salamé to de-escalate tensions in the southern region and secure the convention of elections.
According to their statement, the four countries welcomed the UNSMIL initiative to bring together head of the UN-backed Government of the National Accord (GNA), Faiez Sarraj, and General Commander of Libyan National Army (LNA), Khalifa Haftar, to end the division and hold election.
The two power rivals agreed Thursday during a meeting in Abu Dhabi, brokered by Salamé, on the need to end the transitional phase and hold a presidential election to preserve Libya’s stability.
“We call on all Libyans to work constructively with Salamé and seize this vital opportunity to realize a stable and unified government that can deliver security and prosperity for all Libyans,” the statement said.
As for the shutdown of el-Sharara oilfield, the statement praised that Libyans have agreed to resume oil production at the field, calling on the Fezzan Anger Movement, which led to the closure after it seized the field, to implement the National Oil Corporation (NOC)’s conditions.
“These Libyan resources must remain under the exclusive control of the NOC and sole oversight of the Government of National Accord, as outlined in UN Security Council Resolutions,” the statement added.
Italy and Paris have attempted to end the long lasting division in Libya and hold elections.
The Libyan leaders had agreed to a Paris-brokered deal in May 2018 to hold elections by the end of that year.
However, instability, territorial disputes and divisions in the oil-rich country delayed those plans along with the disagreements over a draft constitution set for a referendum.
Italy hosted talks in November, which also failed to achieve tangible results.
