The 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) held a meeting in Benghazi, attended by military and security leaders from the western, eastern, and southern regions. According to a statement from UNSMI, the aim of the meeting was to enhance confidence among these leaders to support the political process and create an environment conducive to holding free and fair elections in 2023, and for all parties to accept the results of the elections.
The attendees “expressed their full commitment” to the conclusions of the dialogue between the 5+5 JMC and the military and security leaders in Tunis and Tripoli. They also reaffirmed “their readiness to provide all forms of support to secure all stages of the elections.” Additionally, the attendees supported the efforts of the 5+5 JMC and its Libyan liaison committees on the withdrawal of mercenaries and foreign fighters, the statement said.
Furthermore, the meeting initiated practical measures to start addressing the problems of internally displaced and missing persons and ensure their “safe return” through coordination among the concerned security agencies in the various regions of Libya. The attendees also exchanged information on the detainees held by both sides and considered practical steps to exchange detainees as soon as possible.
The attendees expressed appreciation for the initiative of the General Command to release six detainees from the western region who are held in custody for security issues. The attendees agreed to schedule the next meeting in Sabha after the holy month of Ramadan, as per UNSMIL’s statement.
The UN mission described the meeting as “a positive step towards promoting peace, stability, and democracy in Libya.” According to UNSMIL, such meetings and dialogues are “essential to resolving the political and security crises in Libya and achieving a lasting peace.”