Panafrican News Agency

Libyan rival administrations appeal for direct talks of joint 5+5 military commission

Tripoli, Libya (PANA) – Direct talks on security and military issues , bringing together two delegations of the military and police of Libya's two rival administrations ended on Tuesday in the Egyptian city of Hurghada the participants calling for the acceleration of the meetings of the joint 5+5 military commission through direct talks next week.

The talks were attended by representatives of the internationally-recoginsed Government of National Accord (GNA) and the eastern-based Libyan Arab Forces (Libyan National Army).

The previous rounds of the talks of the joint 5+5 military commission were held separately through the intermediary of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

A communiqué issued on Tuesday evening by UNSMIL said that the participants called for the immediate release of all persons detained without any conditions or restrictions.

They called for emergency measures, before late October, to exchange those detained after military operations, by establishing specialised committees between the concerned parties.

They also called for the end of the escalating media campaigns and hate speeches saying these should be replaced by speeches of tolerance and reconciliation and the rejection of violence and terrorism.

The military and police officers of the two Libyan camps called for the acceleration of the opening of the air transport to guarantee the movement of citizens by all Libyans.

Participants studied the security arrangements of the area, which will be determined during the next step in light of the joint meetings of the 5+5 military committee.

The importance of referring the issue of the tasks and responsibilities of the oil installation guards to the joint 5+5 military commission was also recommended. This is to give it the priority in order to evaluate the situation under all its aspects, as well as to study and take measures to ensure the regularity of the oil production and export.

The talks were held from 28 to 29 September under the aegis of the UNSMIL in a spirit of responsibility, transparency and mutual confidence.

The communique said the talks raised a number of emergency security and military issues, including confidence measures.

The communiqué indicated that the dispositions in terms of security in the zone will be determined during the next stage in light of the meetings of the joint 5+5 military commission, in addition to discussions on the responsibilities and tasks of the oil installations guards.

-0- PANA BY/BEH/MSA/MA 30Sept2020