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By Libya Herald staff.
Tripoli, 18 January 2015:
Statements issued by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the European Union (EU) and various . . .[restrict]nations regarding last week’s talks in Geneva were unanimous in praise of the commitment and attitudes of the participants in the UN-led dialogue in Geneva last week.
EU High Representative Federica Mogherini stated, “This initial progress is a start and should be welcomed even if there’s still a long way to go.”
The UNSC, Mogherini, Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni and the Canadian government all released statements welcoming the talks and commending the participants, saying they showed an openness to dialogue and constructive attitudes.
Each statement also expressed hope that the participants in next week’s continuation of the talks will show the same willingness to work together to bring about a solution. They urged all who have been invited to participate in the talks, which will again be held in Geneva.
Last week’s talks were boycotted by some of those invited. The General National Congress (GNC) did not attend and have said they will only attend next week if the meetings are held in Libya.
Each statement included a commendation of the efforts of UNSMIL head Bernardino Leon to bring about the Geneva meetings. Gentiloni said the talks bring “new hope”, a hope expressed in each statement that talks will lead to the formation of a national unity government.
In the meantime, they welcomed the ceasefire agreements that have recently been announced. They urged that all sides honor the ceasefire in order to allow for a productive environment that encourages dialogue. The statements were unanimous in expressing that there is no military solution to the current conflict.
The UNSC threatened that those who seek to disrupt the dialogue process will be hit with sanctions, as laid out in SC resolution 2174. It stressed that it is committed to Libya’s unity, territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Gentiloni expressed Italy’s support of those who contribute to the aim of a national unity government.
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