TRIPOLI, 22 February 2021 - From 14 to 21 February, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Ján Kubiš, held discussions in Libya with a wide range of interlocutors in various parts of the country, including with the leadership of the Government of National Accord (GNA) and its security institutions, members of the Presidential Council, the House of Representatives (HoR) and the High Council of State (HCS), the Constitutional Drafting Committee (CDA), the Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF), both sides of the 5+5 Joint Military Committee, the High National Election Commission (HNEC), and the National Oil Corporation (NOC), as well as members of the new interim unified executive authority recently elected by the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF).

The discussions focused on the progress made so far on the implementation of the LPDF Roadmap and priority next steps, particularly the urgent need to convene the HoR to consider the vote of confidence to Cabinet to be proposed by the Prime-Minister designate and a smooth transfer of power, the imperative to ensure steady progress towards the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, the importance of advancing timely preparations for the upcoming national elections in December 2021, and the commitment of Libya’s leadership to meet the basic social and economic needs of the population, including addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as national reconciliation and transitional justice.

The Special Envoy welcomed the progress achieved so far by the Libyan stakeholders in different areas and stressed the importance of all relevant institutions to respect the Roadmap and continue working for its full implementation. In this regard, he will, in particular, continue to engage in support of the ongoing efforts to convene the HoR as soon as possible, as well as in support of the efforts to agree on the constitutional basis for the December 2021 elections, which should be accelerated. He also noted the advanced discussions on appointments to sovereign positions. 

Special Envoy Ján Kubiš commended the exemplary work of the 5+5 Joint Military Committee in implementing its mandate and encouraged the Committee to sustain steady progress and take further steps towards the reopening of the coastal road. He called on all parties to meet their obligations and to provide the necessary support for the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including the withdrawal of foreign forces and mercenaries.

The Special Envoy stressed the critical role played by the LPDF as a force working against division and stalemate, and in favour of unity and sovereignty of Libya, including by meeting the will of the Libyan people who yearn for democratic elections and unified executive authority to end the recurrent series of competing transitional administrations. While emphasizing the continuing role and responsibilities of the LPDF and continuous relevance to its Roadmap, he particularly noted the broad support, nationally, and internationally for the outcome of the LPDF meeting which elected the new interim unified executive authority charged with leading the country to national elections on 24 December 2021.

The Special Envoy reiterated UNSMIL’s strong commitment to supporting the efforts to reunify Libya, its authorities, and institutions and to restore its full sovereignty, towards its sustainable security, stability, and prosperity.