Senior UN envoy meets with Libyan stakeholders, warns 'time running out' to resolve crisis
In Tobruk and in Tripoli, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya, Bernardino León, met with main stakeholders expected to take part in the proposed dialogue.
In both stops, León, who also heads the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), stressed the need to convene the second round of political dialogue very soon to stop the country's slide towards deeper conflict and economic collapse.
The Special Representative’s call comes as fighting between armed factions continues to rattle the beleaguered nation. Libya’s civil war began in 2011 and resulted in the ouster of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
He warned that time was running out, and the more efforts to tackle the country's political and security crisis are delayed, the more difficult it will be to reach a solution that will end the fighting, restore political and State institutional unity and revive the economy.
León proposed a “freeze” in hostilities for a short period of time to create a conducive environment for holding the dialogue.
“The United Nations will continue to facilitate the efforts for the resumption of the political process to achieve the Libyans’ quest for peace and stability,” he said.
“Libyans need to unite and work towards resolving their differences if they want to save their country, its people, resources, infrastructure and State institutions from further pain and destruction, and to be effective in combating terrorism,” he added.
In Al-Marj, Leon met with General Khalifa Haftar as part of efforts to de-escalate the military situation. He said General Haftar “reacted positively” to the UN proposal and will discuss it with his team. And in Tripoli, he also met with commanders of armed brigades from the City of Misrata, who said they will consider the UN proposal to freeze hostilities.
“The majority of the Libyan people want peace. They should not be held hostage by a small minority that sees that it can win this conflict militarily.”
Special Representative for Libya, Bernardino León (left) meets with General Khalifa Haftar (second right) in Al-Marj. Photo: UNSMIL
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