UNSMIL welcomes call for ceasefire by both conflicting Libyan parties

By Sami Zaptia.

London, 21 August 2020:

UNSMIL welcomed last night the two separate, but coordinated, announcements by the two conflicting Libyan sides of a ceasefire. At the time of going to print, the announcement had also been welcomed by the U.S., Germany, and Italy.

The UNSMIL statement read:

‘‘The Acting SRSG to Libya Stephanie Williams warmly welcomes  the points of agreement in the declarations issued today by President of the Presidency Council Fayez Al-Serraj and Speaker of the House of Representative Aguila Saleh — which demonstrate the courage which Libya is in urgent need of during these trying times — and which call for a ceasefire, in the hope that this will be taken up quickly by the 5+5 Joint Military Commission, with the departure of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libyan soil.

The Acting SRSG urges the rapid implementation of the two leaders’ call for the resumption of oil production and export according to the directions outlined in the two statements.

Williams reiterates that depriving the Libyan people of their oil wealth is a sign of unacceptable stubbornness on the part of the local and international actors involved.  She calls for all parties to rise to this historic occasion and shoulder their full responsibilities before the Libyan people.  The Acting SRSG notes that the two initiatives have created hope for forging a peaceful political solution to the longstanding Libyan crisis, a solution that will affirm the desire of the Libyan people to live in peace and dignity’’.

Libya’s internationally recognized government declares ceasefire, calls for demilitarized zone, departure of foreign forces, resumption of oil exports and elections in 2021

The Hafter-aligned PFG announces resumption of the export of stored oil and gas