The Acting UN envoy to Libya, Stephanie Williams, confirmed that the exit of foreign forces from Libya and the implementation of the ceasefire agreement signed last October has become an urgent matter, directing harsh criticism to the Libyan political class, which she described in her statement to the Guardian as “dinosaurs bent on distinguished access to state coffers.”
Williams said that the ceasefire agreement, signed on October 23, included provisions for the withdrawal of foreign mercenaries within 60 days, ending next Sunday.
She added that the deadline for the withdrawal of forces was a sovereign Libyan decision, which was taken by the Joint Military Committee.
Williams spoke about foreign countries, which are likely to defy the agreed deadline for the withdrawal of all troops and mercenaries, and said that Russia and Turkey have proxy forces in Libya; in an attempt to take advantage of the conflict that has plagued the country since 2014.
Commenting on the policies of decision-makers in Libya, Williams said that creating a new executive authority or going to national elections is a matter that the political class considers the end of its exclusivity with state coffers and resources, and will also put an end to the patronage system that they have skillfully developed in the past.
In the same context, Williams warned Libyan politicians against trying to bypass the UN political dialogue forum and challenge its legitimacy, stressing that any attempt to form a new unified executive body must come under the umbrella of the Libyan political dialogue.
