By Libya Herald staff.
Tripoli, 11 September 2014:
UN Envoy Bernardino Leon yesterday met Tripoli members of the House of . . .[restrict]Representatives boycotting the newly elected legislature.
Leon’s visit to the capital was his first as a representative of the UN. He told the boycotting representatives that dialogue was the only solution to the current crisis in the country and that it was necessary that one parliament and one government represent the Libyan people.
A number of Tripoli’s parliamentarians have been meeting with the rump of the General National Congress (GNC) which set up its rival legislature and government last month.
“We have discussed some ideas on holding a dialogue, but it has to be a Libyan initiative, with support from the international community. No one can replace Libyans and a Libyan solution,” Leon said.
Diplomatic sources at the highest levels of current negotiations have told the Libya Herald that four principle issues need to be resolved as far as those boycotting the House of Representatives are concerned.
Jufra has been mentioned as a possible new meeting place for the House of Representatives with rumours also circulating on social media that the House would meet in Sebha, apparently considered less viable.
Leon explained that negotiations could only be successful after the necessary step of ending current violence. “The use of force to achieve political objectives is rejected. A cessation of all hostilities is an important confidence-building step that helps create an atmosphere conducive for dialogue,” he said.
“This is not about process but about substance. Dialogue is not a solution if it does not produce soon an agreement. What we need is meaningful, effective dialogue that can produce short-term solutions,” he added.
Leon arrived in Libya to Tobruk three days ago. Before coming to Tripoli he has met leaders and officials from the Constitutional Drafting Committee in Beida.
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