By Sami Zaptia.
London, 20 February 2021:
UN Secretary-General Special Envoy for Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Jan Kubis, continued his meetings with Libyan officials and stakeholders in Benghazi and Tripoli yesterday and today.
UNSMIL reported that the meetings aim to project the continuity of the UN-facilitated, political, security and military, and economic and financial tracks.
Following the congratulatory phone call of the Secretary-General with the Prime Minister designate Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba on 16 February, Kubis, accompanied by ASG/UNSMIL Coordinator Raisedon Zenenga and ASG/HC/RC Georgette Gagnon, met today with the PM designate in Tripoli and congratulated him on his election by the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF). UNSMIL reported that Aldabaiba commended the UN efforts in bringing Libyans together and put Libya back on the path of peace, unity, stability and prosperity.
Encouraged by the PM designate’s intention to form a representative and inclusive government, Kubis commended him on his commitment to allocate 30% of cabinet seats to women and to include youth.
The PM designate briefed on his vision of a roadmap to address the economic, humanitarian, security and developments challenges in the country. They both agreed on the importance of holding an official House of Representatives vote of confidence session as soon as possible.
Kubis expressed the UN commitment to support the new interim executive in its quest to unite the country, enhance the provision of services to the Libyan people as well as to prepare the country for the holding of national elections on 24 December 2021.
5+5 Joint Military Commission
Earlier in the day, Special Envoy Kubis, accompanied by ASG/UNSMIL Coordinator Raisedon Zenenga, met with the Government of National Accord’s delegation to the 5+5 Joint Military Commission, where they discussed ways the UN and international partners can help to expedite the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, signed on 23 October 2020, including the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries. The meeting also covered the violation of the UN arms embargo as well as the unification of the military and security institutions. They also discussed ways to expedite the opening of the coastal road.
Kubis reiterated the UN full support to the 5+5 JMC in its challenging mission. He expressed his admiration for the work and achievements of the 5+5 JMC. “You showed a great example that if there is a political will, Libyans can come together for the sake of Libya and its people and created the right atmosphere for the political process,” Special Envoy Kubis said.
National Oil Corporation
Also today, Kubis met with Chairman of the National Oil Corporation (NOC) Mustafa Sanalla. He was briefed on the situation pertaining to the oil sector, NOC efforts to maintain the oil production, ongoing efforts to unify and restructure the Petroleum Facilities Guard. UNSMIL reported that Sanalla expressed his appreciation for the continuous support of the UN and the international community to the NOC. Kubis stressed the importance of maintaining the independent and neutral role of the NOC as the sole sovereign institution that is charged with the stewardship of the country’s oil management. They both agreed on the need to ensure transparent and equitable management of oil revenues.
Yesterday meetings in Benghazi
As part of his first visit to Libya where he met with a large number of Libyan officials and interlocutors, Kubis had arrived in Benghazi yesterday. There, UNSMIL reported, he held a meeting with Khalifa Haftar in the presence of his delegation to 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC). They both agreed on the importance for all parties in Libya to commit to and facilitate the holding of the national elections on 24 December 2021.
The meeting discussions focused on ways to expedite the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, signed on 23 October 2020, including the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries as well as the unification of the military and security institutions. They also discussed ways to expedite the opening of the coastal road.
During the meeting, Kubis praised the efforts of the 5+5 JMC and said, “Your patriotic work and courageous decisions, and your steadfast commitment to further the implementation of the ceasefire agreement played a crucial role in the success of the LPDF and brought Libya back on the path of reconciliation and unity.”
Kubis reiterated the urgent need to cease all international interference in Libya and for all countries to respect the UN Security Council resolutions, including the arms embargo, and most importantly to respect the will of Libyans.
