Rival Libyan PM Bachagha welcomes position of five Western countries on political situation
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The rival prime minister in Libya, Fathi Bachagha, and his government say they welcome the statement issued by five Western countries known as the "2 + 3" group, condemning "acts of violence, kidnappings and intimidation".
In a tweet published on Friday, Mr Bachagha said he was pleased that the five Western countries had emphasised "the need to fully respect Libyan sovereignty in order to lay a consensual constitutional foundation leading to presidential and parliamentary elections".
He also stressed that his government's mission is to hold presidential and parliamentary elections without delay and in full transparency, in order to meet the wishes of the 2.8 million voters.
France, Germany, Italy, Britain and the United States issued a joint statement on Friday on the political situation in Libya, in which they affirmed their support for the mediation led by the UN Secretary-General's adviser on Libya, Ms. Stephanie Williams, and warned of sanction against all those who disrupt the transition or threaten to resort to violence.
They supported the UN Secretary-General's call on all Libyan actors to refrain from any action that could undermine stability in Libya, expressing concern about recent reports of violence, intimidation and abductions.
In their statement, they also stressed that any dispute over the future of the political process must be resolved without resorting to violence, expressing their willingness to hold accountable those who threaten stability through violence.
The five Western countries reiterated that individuals or entities inside or outside Libya who will hinder or undermine the success of the political transition process in Libya will be designated by the Security Council's Libya Sanctions Committee in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2571 (2021) and related resolutions.
The presence of two rival governments, the Government of National Unity (GNU) of Prime Minister Abdelhamid al-Dbaiba and that appointed by parliament, Prime Minister Fathi Bachagha, has heightened tensions in the country, with the risk of renewed armed conflict.
-0- PANA BY/JSG/SOC/BBA/MA 5March2022
