5+5 JMC kicks off new round of talks in Cairo

Representatives of Libya’s 5+5 Joint Military Committee convened a meeting in Cairo today to discuss their action plan for the withdrawal of foreign forces. The meeting was also attended by the U.N. Special Envoy to Libya Ján Kubiš as well as the representatives of Chad, Niger, and Sudan.

Speaking at the meeting’s opening, Kubiš highlighted that, based on the action plan, the JMC intends to “develop an implementation plan and mechanism for the gradual, balanced, and sequenced departure of all mercenaries, foreign fighters, and foreign forces, through consultations and negotiations with Libya’s neighbors and other international partners.”

“I would like to express my hope that your meeting in Cairo will result in a mutual understanding of major building blocks and coordination mechanisms necessary for the withdrawal and will enable agreeing on the first steps of the withdrawal process that will take fully into account the needs and concerns of Libya and its neighbors,” he said, addressing JMC members.

“I count on your full cooperation as well as the support of the African Union in this noble and critically important endeavor,” the U.N. envoy concluded.