By Sami Zaptia.
London, 29 March 2018:
A delegation representing the leadership of the city of Misrata arrived in the city of Zintan yesterday for reconciliation talks.
The two sides were in opposition in the 2014 Tripoli militia fighting that led to the political split of the country and the burning down of Tripoli International Airport. Zintan were seen as supporters of the House of Representatives, Khalifa Hafter and the Libyan National Army while Misrata were seen as supporters of the outgoing rump of the General National Congress and its ‘‘Islamist’’ coalition.
After their meeting both sides issued a joint 6-point communique:
- To avoid any bloodshed of all Libyans
- To realize the aims of the 17th February revolution to end totalitarianism and ensure a civilian state and the non-return of counter-revolutionaries.
- To work towards comprehensive national reconciliation for all Libyans and the unity of the Libyan territory.
- To push towards the creation of a state of rule of law, institutions and the peaceful transfer of power.
- To work towards the unification of military and security institutions in the guise of the police and army and the reintegration of revolutionaries (fighters/militias) into them – under civilian control.
- To fight against terrorism in all its forms and in all parts of Libya.
