The Supreme Council of State in Libya said that there was a divergence of views between its President Khaled Al-Mishri and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian regarding the mechanism for removing mercenaries and foreign forces from Libya, during a discussion between them on the sidelines of the celebration of the inauguration of the new Nigerian president on Friday.
The council added that Al-Mashri stressed to the French minister the need to remove the mercenaries, and any forces that are present illegally, first, then the departure of the forces that came at the invitation of the legitimate authorities, through clear agreements, in reference to the Turkish forces.
On the other hand, Le Drian told the Libyan official that it was necessary for all forces to leave simultaneously.
Al-Mashri assured the French Minister that this simultaneous exit "represents a threat to the Libyan national security" and requires appropriate mechanisms in cooperation with the 5 + 5 Libyan Joint Military Committee in charge of monitoring the ceasefire.
Al-Mashri discussed with the French official the developments of the political situation in Libya, and confirmed what he described the congruence of views regarding the need to hold the elections on time next December, and on the urgency of the House of Representatives to issue laws organizing the elections in accordance with the State Council.
Hemedti's permit
In a related context, Lieutenant General Mohamed Hamdan Hamidati, First Vice President of the Sudanese Transitional Sovereignty Council, stressed the need for all those he described as mercenaries to leave Libya.
He explained in an interview in Niger with Al-Mashri that any Sudanese who is in Libya without the permission of the Libyan authorities is considered mercenary, as he put it.
Al-Mishri stated that the Libyan side is looking forward to establishing fruitful relations with Sudan on all political, economic and security levels.
Withdrawal timeout
The ceasefire agreement in Libya signed on October 23, 2020 between the parties to the conflict provides for the withdrawal of all foreign mercenaries from the country within 3 months from that date.
Last December, the United Nations estimated the number of foreign military and mercenaries in Libya at 20 thousand, and many previous UN reports mentioned that there are Russian, Chadian, Sudanese and Syrian mercenaries in Libya, in addition to units of the Turkish army.
On the other hand, Joey Hood, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, said - in an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera to be broadcast later - that President Joe Biden's administration is committed to helping the Libyans hold elections on time and "end all foreign interference in the country."
The American official explained that among the conditions that will allow the Libyans to vote freely and fairly in the elections next December is the removal of all foreign forces and all mercenaries from the country in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.
Libyan dialogue
Hood stressed the need for the participation of all Libyan parties in the dialogue, including retired Major General Khalifa Haftar, on the condition that the cease-fire be adhered to, adding that the Libyan government needs to control the militias and be able to "provide security and stability throughout its territory, to ensure its sovereignty and fight terrorism wherever it is." Back".
It is noteworthy that Libya is witnessing a political breakthrough, after years of political and military division and war between Haftar's forces and the internationally recognized reconciliation government forces, as Abdel Hamid Dabaiba was appointed Prime Minister alongside the Presidency Council on February 5 by 75 Libyan officials from all Parties, have met in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations.
The Libyan national unity government - which consists of two vice presidents, 26 ministers and 6 state ministers - won the confidence of Parliament on the tenth of last month.