UN Envoy Abdoulaye Bathily briefed the United Nations Security Council on the situation in Libya, urging political actors to follow the lead of security and military leaders in supporting national unity.
“The meetings between military units and security formations in the east, west, and south of the country represent a real breakthrough, as they hold important symbolic value on the path to reconciliation and unification,” Bathily said in his briefing.
He offered “technical expertise and logistical support” to the 6+6 Committee for the House of Representatives and the High State Council, “to enable both bodies to perform their duties in preparing for election laws and conducting transparent and fair elections.” He also called for international partners to speak with a unified voice on the Libyan issue, stressing that there is “a historic opportunity to overcome the prolonged crisis.”
Bathily called on the Libyan authorities to provide the High National Electoral Commission (HNEC) with all necessary support to ensure the electoral process is successful. “All Libyan parties have expressed their commitment to preparing for elections,” he explained urging these parties to translate that into “tangible progress.”
“The withdrawal of mercenaries and foreign fighters must be carried out in a coordinated and synchronized manner to avoid becoming a threat to their home countries,” the UN envoy warned. He expressed support for the proposal by Chiefs of General Staff Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Haddad Lt. Gen. Abdel Razek al-Nadori to establish a joint brigade to secure the southern borders, while stressing the importance of preserving sovereignty and territorial integrity.