Mediators welcome Libyan leaders' call for dialogue
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue Wednesday welcomed Libyan leaders' call for a nationwide ceasefire and end to military buildup in the central regions.
In a press release, the HD welcomed statements issued Wednesday by Libya’s Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, and the head of Parliament, Aghila Saleh.
A cautious HD Executive Director, David Harland, however, said much work remained to be done to ensure that these commitments were respected by all sides.
The leaders called for an end to the buildup of military forces in the central regions of Sirte and Jufra.
Al-Sarraj is the head of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord(GNA), while Saleh is the president of the House of Representatives based in eastern Libya.
They are the leading figures in Libya’s current conflict.
Their call for Sirte to be demilitarised and for renewed dialogue between the warring parties represents a glimmer of hope after more than a year of violent conflict.
The offensive was launched on Tripoli in April 2019.
The two leaders have also called for the resumption of operations in Libya’s oil fields and ports.
But this has to be on condition that the revenues are temporarily held in a Libyan foreign account until a political agreement has been reached on their distribution.
Libya relies heavily on oil exports, which have been severely disrupted by the conflict over the last year.
The manner in which revenues from the oil exports are distributed is a source of tension in the country and one of the factors driving the ongoing conflict.
Foreign interference and the presence of foreign forces and mercenaries have been additional factors contributing to the latest escalation.
However, in their separate statements, the prime minister and head of Parliament denounced this development, and declared their intention to “restore full national sovereignty over Libyan territory”.
The call for a ceasefire comes at a crucial moment in Libya’s struggle to address the coronavirus (COVID-19} pandemic.
COVID-19 cases have increased dramatically in recent weeks, amid concerns that the country’s divisions and conflict were hindering efforts to contain the situation.
The United Nations Acting Special Representative of the Secretary General to Libya, Stephanie Williams, praised the statements.
“It’s a breakthrough moment,” said Williams, adding that for the first time since the war started last April, Libyan leaders were working together to call for peace.
-0- PANA DJ/RA 26Aug2020
