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By Libya Herald reporters.
Misrata/Tripoli, 20 May 2015:
Over 40 military brigades in Misrata had signed up to a call for peace and national reconciliation . . .[restrict]in the country. Represented yesterday evening by city’s four largest brigades – Halboos, Zawiat Al-Mahjoub, Hittin and 166 – they urged other brigades and civil organisations from across Libya to join them in pushing for an end to the fighting and for a dialogue between all Libyans.
In their statement, they said that, just as they had been at the forefront of military action, they would now be at the forefront of a national campaign for peace. It was the only way to ensure Libya’s survival, they said. They pointed out that Misrata was already leading the way by having agreed peace deals with the Warshefana and, in the south, with the Magarha.
Libyans had to stand united against terrorism, they stated. So too, illegal immigration had to be dealt with and the thousands of displaced people be allowed to return home.
They also said that they would support the judicial authorities, the building of the army and the police and do what was required by international sponsors (i.e. the UN) to promote dialogue, in particular in relation to the redeployment of armed militias in Libya’s cities.
It has consistently been agreed by all parties in the UNSMIL Dialogue process that militias must be disarmed and removed from Libya’s towns and cities.
Furthermore, the brigades gave a ringing endorsement to Misrata Municipal Council which has itself actively supported moves for national reconciliation. It was the legitimate representative of the city, the military statement said.
The endorsement is seen as a warming to the small, mainly Islamist grouping in Misrata that has rejected the council’s efforts at peace. Proclaiming their commitment to peace in Libya, the military leaders declared they would crush anyone working against it.
They, however, would be in contact with other brigades, towns and organisations across the country to encourage them to back the peace and reconciliation.
In a move seemingly timed to coincide the military statement, Misrata Council also issued its own yesterday. It welcomed a proposal by Jadu Municipal Council to host the dialogue which, it said, was the only option to resolve differences between Libyans and build a state of law. It called on revolutionaries to join reconciliation efforts.
It added, however, that the most recent UNSMIL draft from the Dialogue process at Skhirat in Morocco was “unfair and did not take into account all the political parties’ demands”. [/restrict]
