The International Monitoring Committee for Libya expressed its deep concern about the serious military escalation around Sirte, renewing its demands for the Government of National Accord and the Libyan National Army to immediately end the escalation, halt hostilities and military movements, and quickly complete the JMC 5+5 talks to reach a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire agreement Under the auspices of the United Nations.
This came during the third committee meeting at the senior officials’ level, which was held via video conference Monday, and was jointly chaired by the League of Arab States, represented by Assistant Secretary-General Hossam Zaki, and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, represented by Stephanie Williams, Acting Special Representative .
According to a UN mission statement, the participants stressed the need for all members of the “Berlin process” to strictly abide by all their pledges in accordance with the outputs of the Berlin Conference and in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.
The meeting stressed the importance of the 5+5 talks to address “comprehensive terms regarding the removal of all foreign mercenaries, the withdrawal of all foreign military forces, and the dismantling and disarming of armed groups and militias throughout the country.”
Members of the Committee expressed their condemnation of the continuing violations of the United Nations arms embargo; reaffirming the need for all external actors to comply strictly with their obligations to stop all forms of military intervention in Libya.
Participants also discussed initiatives aimed at resuming an inclusive political process and completing the transition process in Libya, including the initiative announced by the President of the House of Representatives, the Cairo Declaration, the proposal of the Head of the Presidential Council, Fayez Al-Sarraj, and the urgent calls for preparation for national elections.
They also emphasized the need for a “roadmap to hold free, fair and credible elections to complete the political transition in Libya, and expressed their willingness to support this goal, which can only be achieved in favorable political and security environments, and in accordance with the required legal, constitutional and electoral framework, when all parties and stakeholders pledge in advance to respect and adhere to the results. ”
Meanwhile, Committee members expressed their condemnation at reports of widespread violations of human rights, including the discovery of mass graves in and around Tarhuna, and the presence of mines and explosive devices left in areas under the control of the Libyan national army, calling for the perpetrators to be held accountable and brought to justice.
They stressed their concern over the deteriorating humanitarian and economic conditions, which were exacerbated by the Coronavirus pandemic, and urged the Libyan authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure unimpeded access to United Nations humanitarian personnel.
They also stressed the need to resume oil production under the supervision of the National Oil Corporation, and renewed their demand for transparent and equitable distribution of resources, stressing the importance of restoring the integrity, unity and legal governance of all Libyan sovereign institutions.
