By Sami Zaptia.
London, 2 August 2021:
UNSMIL welcomed the official opening of the Coastal Road last Friday, which took place in its presence.
It congratulated the Libyan people, national and local authorities, institutions, and stakeholders involved, especially the role of 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) in what it called a ‘‘landmark and historic achievement’’. It acknowledged the support provided by the Presidency Council, and the Government of National Unity under the leadership of the Prime Minister in this regard. UNSMIL head Jan Kubis, thanked PM Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba for the release of salaries for the security forces.
Kubis hailed the ongoing efforts and achievements of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission and its sub-committees for laying foundations for durable peace in Libya. The opening of the Coastal Road is another step in strengthening peace, security, and stability in the country, and in the unification of its institutions, said Kubis. The exemplary work of the 5+5 JMC is also a signal to the leaders of the country to set aside their differences and work together to implement the Roadmap and hold elections on 24 December 2021, UNSMIL added.
“In addition to other significant confidence-building measures achieved thus far, such as the resumption of flights and the exchange of detainees, the opening of the Coastal Road is a critical step to further the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement of 23 October 2020 and, equally importantly, to allow the free movement of commerce, humanitarian support and the people of Libya.”
“The next major step in the Ceasefire Agreement’s implementation process is to commence the withdrawal of all mercenaries, foreign fighters, and forces from Libya without delay, starting with the withdrawal of the first groups of foreign mercenaries and fighters from both sides’’, Kubis added.
Before the opening of the Coastal Road in a telephone conversation with Kubis, the JMC acknowledged his and UNSMIL’s critical role in support of the JMC’s work and requested from Kubis the continued assistance of the UNSMIL in implementing the Ceasefire Agreement.
The JMC called on UNSMIL to facilitate a meeting with international stakeholders to discuss a plan for the withdrawal of mercenaries, foreign fighters, and foreign forces from Libya without delay. The JMC also requested the expeditious deployment of the UN Ceasefire monitors in support of the Libyan-led Ceasefire Monitoring Mechanism. Kubis reaffirmed the UN’s commitment and continued support to the work of the JMC as well as its support for the requests of the JMC. Kubis assured the JMC that he will work with all relevant national and international stakeholders to advance the full implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement.
In accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2570 of 16 April 2021 and the Ceasefire Agreement, UNSMIL renewed its call to all concerned national and international parties to expedite the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement and to support the exemplary efforts of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission.
