Libya readies for departure of mercenaries and foreign fighters: 5+5 Military Commission
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libya's 5+5 Joint Military Commission announced on Friday the start of preparatory measures for the departure of mercenaries and foreign fighters from the country, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.
In a statement, the Military Commission called on all countries to implement the Security Council resolutions in the region for the departure of mercenaries and foreign fighters from Libya, as well as the recommendations of the Berlin 1 and 2 conferences.
The 5+5 Joint Military Commission requested the presence of local observers at this stage, noting that a number of Libyan officers had been assigned to monitor what had been agreed.
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) will take prompt action to ensure the presence of international observers on the ground to help support the Libyan monitoring mechanism.
The 5+5 Joint Military Commission has reiterated its request to the government of national accord to expedite the appointment of a Minister of Defence.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its work, in the central city of Sirte from 28-30 July, the Military Commission said that the opening of the coastal highway inking the east to the west of the country was the culmination of its efforts through the definition of action plans for its maintenance, the removal of mines and remnants of war, the preparation of security posts and places of residence for individuals and members of various security committees, among others.
The Commission indicated that the coastal road is under the control of its Security Arrangements Committee, which will implement all "professional" and "totally impartial" security measures to ensure the safety and security of users.
The Commission commended the "distinguished role" of the UN Support Mission in Libya and its efforts to "establish peace in general and open the road in particular", as well as all the work done by the committees to clear lines of contact between the belligerents, the security arrangements, and remove mines and remnants of war on the road.
The coastal road linking the cities of Sirte and Misrata in central Libya was reopened on Friday. It was closed for nearly two years due to the Tripoli war in the wake of the military offensive launched by the head of the eastern-based Libyan Army forces, Marshal Khalifa Haftar against Tripoli and the western region on 4 April 2019.
The decision to reopen the road is contained in the ceasefire agreement signed on 23 October in Geneva by the 5+5 Joint Military Commission.
-0- PANA BY/JSG/BBA/AR 30July2021
