Libya Herald reporters.
Tunis, 18 October 2015:
A London conference will tomorrow seek to sort out . . .[restrict]how the international community can support the proposed new Libyan Government of National Accord. However, no members of the present government or the House or Representatives have been invited, nor anyone from the Libyan embassy in the UK.
A person close to the talks explained that this was a meeting of specialists, intended to define everything that needs to be done.
Organised by UNSMIL and the British Foreign Office, the one-day gathering is looking at the complete rebuilding of Libya, from security, economic recovery and good governance through to the rule of law and the restoration of basic infrastructure. Programmes to help Libya rebuid will be offered.
A senior diplomat has told the Libya Herald that this was not a donor conference but that it aimed to organise programmes for the nee government. It would appear that the majority of the recovery programmes will be paid for by Libya, possibly through oil offset agreements. Libya already has substantial debts to foreign contractors, particularly from Turkey, Korea and China, for construction projects that never resumed after the 2011 revolution.
The agenda shows Libyan speakers, including Tarik Yousef, a director of the Central Bank and leading businessman Husni Bey, but no one from the Thinni government nor the House of Representative has been asked to attend.
Libya Herald’s managing editor is also attending.
The sessions will include an attempt to define the lessons learnt by the international community in the two years from 2012. There is also to be an analysis of what the new government will need to do first, not least to demonstrate that it is making a difference. A third session will look specific areas where outside support will be crucial. This includes the issue of migrants.
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