CAIRO, 8 February 2023 – The 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) and liaison committees from Libya, Sudan and Niger developed and approved the establishment of an integrated mechanism for joint coordination and data exchange to facilitate the full withdrawal of mercenaries and foreign fighters from the country.

The decision was announced today at the conclusion of a two-day meeting in Cairo chaired by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Libya, Mr. Abdoulaye Bathily.  

SRSG Bathily, in his closing remarks, expressed appreciation for the Egyptian government’s efforts to aid dialogue between Libyan parties in support for a resolution to the current crisis. He also commended the 5+5 JMC’s leadership and the work of the participating liaison committees.

“What you have achieved here is an important step toward achieving sustainable stability and peace in Libya, in neighboring countries and the region in general,” he said. “This progress is also an important step toward creating a favorable climate for the political process, including the organization of elections in 2023."

The atmosphere of cooperation that prevailed in the meeting "reflects the common desire of Libya and its neighbors to end the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters on Libyan territory without adversely impacting the neighboring countries,” he said.