2 February 2018 - The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) deeply regrets that families from the Tawergha community were prevented from returning to their homes by some extremist elements.  Furthermore, the Mission deplores the threats that were made against the Tawergha community while attempting to return safely to their homes and strongly denounces attempts at financial extortion in exchange for their return.

The United Nations has supported the Misrata-Tawergha reconciliation agreement process for over two years.  The Mission had welcomed the decision of the Government of National Accord (GNA) to implement the Misrata-Tawergha agreement and to allocate funds to compensate those affected by the painful events that took place in that area.

UNSMIL welcomes the GNA’s call on the Tawergha community to return to their homes starting 1 February and expressed its full readiness to contribute to the success of this return through the different competencies of the UN Agencies.

The Mission calls for reason to prevail and for the agreement to be implemented in order to secure the safe return of the displaced and to financially compensate those affected, as committed by the GNA. There is an opportunity to benefit from the international community’s willingness to support this process.

Sustainable stability in Libya necessitates that right-holders enjoy their rights, displaced return to their homes and the spirit of understanding and harmony prevail among Libyans.