By Libya Herald reporter.
Tunis, 6 December 2015:
The HoR-GNC ‘‘Libyan-Libyan’’ agreement signed in Tunis last night has received a cold reception . . .[restrict]from both the UN and the majority of HoR members.
This is despite a warm reception reported in Libyan media by the GNC leadership which said that it has received much support for the agreement and welcomed any initiative from all sides.
However, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya, Martin Kobler, emphasised that the Libyan Political Agreement was the only basis to end the conflict in the country. It had been negotiated for over a year and facilitated by the United Nations. It enjoyed the support of the majorities of both House of Representatives and the General National Congress, he said.
“The country needs peace in unity, it is divided now,” Kobler told Aljazeera International today. “It is now time for a rapid endorsement of the Libyan Political Agreement, the train has left the station.” He urged all Libyans to support this agreement “including those who still oppose it”.
The agreement, an UNSMIL statement said, opened the way to unite the country, fight the scourge of terrorism and address the deteriorating economic situation in Libya. “The upcoming Rome conference co-chaired by Italy, US and the UN is an opportunity to demonstrate the determination of the international community on the way forward on the basis of the Libyan Political Agreement”, the UN statement added.
HoR Tripoli representative, Luai Alghawi, however, has dismissed the Tunis Libyan-Libyan agreement describing it as ‘‘an attempt to reach an agreement by the extremist minority over the will of the moderate majority and opportunism against the wishes of the Libyan majority’’.
‘‘It is but a hopeless attempt to remain in power and to control the assets of the state. The appearance of an individual initiative as represented by what (HoR president) Ageela Salah is doing and fronted by Ibrahim Amaish is but a play on emotions and interference in the political scene is . this is over’’, he added.
‘‘Where have they been after a year of struggle, bloodletting, deaths and displacement. Why have they come out now when they used to accuse all attempts at direct dialogue as treacherous?’’, Alghawi asked.
‘‘I say we are for any real patriotic initiative that supports the present political dialogue and any initiative that adds to the comprehensive national interest framework after an agreement – but not for interference or for personal reasons far away from the stability of the country.’’
HoR Tobruk member Essam Jahani said that the HoR was not aware of the HoR-GNC Tunis ‘’Libyan-Libyan’’ agreement and that the HoR had not empowered HoR member Ibrahim Amaish, who signed the Tunis agreement in Tunis on behalf of the HoRm, to agree any deal. [/restrict]