The United Nations, the United States, Germany, Russia, Italy, Canada and Egypt welcomed the ceasefire agreement in Libya, and the Government of National Accord forces announced their commitment to the agreement, while no comment has yet been issued by the forces of retired Major General Khalifa Haftar.
The internationally recognized Accord Government and the Tobruk House of Representatives loyal to Haftar's forces agreed, in separate statements today, Friday, to an immediate cessation of fire and combat operations throughout the country, and to demilitarize the Sirte and Jufrah regions, in addition to re-exporting oil, and holding presidential and parliamentary elections in March / Next March.
The reconciliation government statement stipulated that oil revenues should not be disposed of except after reaching comprehensive political arrangements, in accordance with the Berlin outputs, in a manner that guarantees transparency and good governance with the help of the UN mission and the international community.
This agreement comes on the heels of intense political movement over the recent Libyan crisis, amid military mobilization in the cities of Sirte and Jufrah. The Government of National Accord had pushed its forces near Sirte to regain it from Haftar's forces, but it indicated that it would also pave the way for peaceful solutions.
In a quick comment, the United Nations Mission in Libya said that it welcomes the points of agreement contained in the statement of the head of the reconciliation government, Fayez al-Sarraj, and the speaker of the parliament convened in Tobruk, Aqila Saleh, and the mission called for the urgent implementation of what was stated in the two statements regarding lifting the blockade on oil production and export.
The US Embassy in Libya welcomed the agreement between the parties to a ceasefire. She said this represents an important step for all Libyans.
The German Foreign Ministry called on everyone to adhere to an immediate ceasefire in the country.
Italy also welcomed the Libyan agreement to a ceasefire, and the Foreign Ministry said it would continue its support for the efforts of the United Nations in Libya, according to the results of the Berlin conference.
Canada also announced its support for the declaration of a ceasefire in Libya, and its government called on the parties to the conflict to return to dialogue.
A diplomatic source in the Russian Foreign Ministry announced in statements to "Sputnik" that Moscow welcomed the statements issued by the Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord and the House of Representatives in Tobruk to stop military operations in all Libyan lands.
For his part, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi welcomed the ceasefire, describing it as an important step on the road to achieving a political settlement and the aspirations of the Libyan people to restore stability.
Welcome and surprise
As for locally, the head of the Supreme Council of State, Khaled Al-Mishri, called for more in-depth discussions between the bodies emanating from the political agreement to reach the consensus that the stage requires.
Al-Mashri welcomed, in a statement to Al-Jazeera, any rapprochement between the Libyans that would end the aggression, open oil and remove mercenaries.
Brigadier General Ibrahim Bait Al-Mal, commander of the Sirte and Al-Jufrah Operations Room of the Al-Wefaq Forces, declared his compliance with Al-Sarraj's orders, which called for a ceasefire and a return to the political process.
The House of Money demanded - in a press statement - all the enemy forces, as described, to withdraw immediately from Sirte and Jufrah, warning that if anything goes against it, they are ready to respond at the appropriate time and place.
He also clarified that the Al-Wefaq government forces continue to maintain their positions and their stationing points there.
On the other hand, Al-Jazeera correspondent in Tripoli, Ahmed Khalifa, said, "The statement was so surprising to everyone that political parties inside the capital, Tripoli, were surprised by the move, and confirmed that there had been no earlier consultations in this regard."
He added that what was announced today clashes with what Haftar announced less than 48 hours ago, when he absolutely refused that Sirte and Jufra be a demilitarized zone, but rather promised to pump more fighters and weapons to these two areas.
The reporter stressed that Haftar - through his official spokesman, Ahmed Al-Mismari - declared his refusal to open the oil ports, stressing that the current opening was due to the reservoirs being filled with oil.
In turn, the National Oil Corporation welcomed the proposals for a ceasefire and lifting the 7-month blockade on oil installations, and placing the revenues in a special bank account until a political agreement is reached.
The government institution concerned with oil production said in a statement that it welcomes "the statement by the Speaker of Parliament and President of the Presidency Council of the Government of National Accord, which supports the National Oil Corporation's proposal to resume production and export of oil and freeze sales revenues in the accounts of the National Oil Corporation at the Libyan Foreign Bank until comprehensive political arrangements are reached." According to the outcomes of the Berlin conference. "
The National Corporation called for the evacuation of all oil installations from all forms of military presence to ensure the security and safety of its workers, in order to be able to raise the status of force majeure, and to initiate oil export operations.