Skhirat, Morocco, 28 August 2015 – Building on the immense progress made in the search for peace in Libya, a new round of political dialogue facilitated by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) convened on 27-28 August in Skhirat, Morocco. Discussions focused on the way forward with an urgency to finalizing the Libyan Political Agreement in the coming few days.

Over two days, representatives of Libyan parties discussed with Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya Bernardino Leon annexes to the Libyan Political Agreement and timelines for concluding the political dialogue.

The talks were held in a positive and constructive atmosphere, underscoring the participants’ deep conviction that finalising the political agreement was a matter of extreme urgency. Well aware of their responsibilities before the people and before history to work for a peaceful settlement to the political and military conflict ravaging Libya and threatening its unity, the participants agreed that it is high time to conclude the talks that have been under way for seven months.

For this, there was consensus to make the final push to expedite the dialogue to conclude the agreement according to the timelines they committed to in the Geneva round of dialogue on 11-12 August 2015. To that end, participants will hold a round of political dialogue at the United Nations Office at Geneva on 03-04 September 2015 to complete the discussions with a view to finalizing the Libyan Political Agreement for it to be ready for signing a few days afterwards.

SRSG Leon echoed the same concern voiced by the participants and by the Libyan people, saying that time was fast running out for Libya as it faces continuing bloodletting, a growing Daesh terrorist threat and a collapsing currency.

He said now is the time for all leaders to set aside their differences and put the country’s interest first and work towards the quick establishment of the Government of National Accord, as called for in the political agreement. This government, in partnership with the international community and the overwhelming support of the Libyan people, will be able to address Libya’s problems, combat terrorism, restore stability and put the country back on the road to economic recovery.

Mr. Leon expressed hope that the General National Congress (GNC) will rejoin the talks in Geneva after staying away from this round in Skhirat following the resignation of two members of its dialogue team and its request for time to reorganize their team. He said UNSMIL will intensify its contacts with the Libyan stakeholders to ensure wide participation in the next round.

SRSG Leon and the participants thanked the Kingdom of Morocco for its generous hosting of this round talks and its unwavering support for the Libyan dialogue process.