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By Sami Zaptia.
London, 27 October 2020:
The first virtual meeting of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) was convened yesterday by UNSMIL Acting head Stephanie Williams, UNSMIL reported.
UNSMIL reported that during the meeting, the members of the LPDF were updated on what has been recently accomplished in the military, economic and human rights and international humanitarian tracks. They were also briefed on recommendations and valuable proposals presented by representatives of the consultative meetings UNSMIL held with women and youth groups and with mayors and municipalities and others.
Addressing the meeting, Williams said, “Libyans want peace, security and a decent life for them and their children; Libyans want respect and justice; they want unified and fair governance; and most importantly they want national unity, national sovereignty and a coherent social fabric. What matters to the Libyan people is “what?” – not “who?”.
The ‘‘who’’ point raised by Williams is probably a reference to the criticism UNSMIL has received by Libyans at the 75 members it selected to participate in the LPDF.
‘‘What will result from the dialogue and not who will participate in it. This adds to your historical and national responsibility before your people and the world. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to place the supreme national interest above all personal, partisan and regional considerations,” Williams added.
UNSMIL reported the LPDF members presented their views and suggestions about the course of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum talks and urged transparency through the process and stressed the importance of keeping the Libyan people informed about the deliberations of the LPDF. They expressed their keenness to engage constructively and in good faith in the LPDF with the firm objective of forging an inclusive political roadmap to put Libya on the path of democracy, unity and prosperity.
UNSMIL confirmed that it will convene the in-person direct meetings of the Libyan Political Dialogue forum starting 9 November 2020 in the Tunisian Capital.
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