Yesterday, Thursday, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya announced an agreement to establish an effective communication and coordination mechanism to remove fighters, mercenaries and foreign forces, and this comes at a time when US Vice President Joe Biden intends to express support for Libya to take steps towards holding elections. At a conference in Paris next week.

This came in a statement by the UN mission on its website, 3 days after the conclusion of the meetings of the Libyan Joint Military Committee (5+5) in Cairo.

The statement stated that the Military Committee (5 + 5) agreed with representatives of Chad, Niger and Sudan to establish an effective communication and coordination mechanism to remove mercenaries, fighters and foreign forces from Libya.

He explained that the mechanism sets out a vision for the liaison and coordination committees in Libya and neighboring countries, with the aim of removing mercenaries and foreign fighters in a gradual, balanced, simultaneous and sequential process.

He added that the Liaison and Coordination Committees will hold meetings between the Joint Military Committee, the Libyan authorities and representatives of neighboring countries (Chad, Niger and Sudan) during the implementation process, according to the same statement.

Kubis praised these developments, which are a response to the (European) demands of the Libyan people.

Praise and demands

The Special Envoy of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Jan Kubis, praised the ongoing efforts of the Joint Military Committee, describing the results of the meeting as an "important achievement that enables practical steps to be taken for the exit of all mercenaries and foreign fighters as a first step towards full implementation."

"I am honored to witness this progress made by Libya, Chad, Niger and Sudan in the spirit of common interest and partnership that will pave the way for sustainable stability, security, development and cooperation in the region," Kubis added.

"This is in response to the demand of the vast majority of the Libyan people and creates more positive momentum in light of the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for December 24," he added.

Kamala Harris intends to express support for Libya to take steps towards holding (European) elections

elections and support

This comes, while the High National Elections Commission in Libya said that it will announce the opening of candidacy for the presidential and parliamentary elections in a press conference to be held next Sunday at its headquarters in Tripoli.

The commission added that it will provide, during the press conference, a comprehensive briefing on the developments of the electoral process;

The start of the voter card distribution process will also be announced.

In this context, senior US administration officials said that Harris intends to express support for Libya's taking steps towards holding elections, at a conference in Paris next week.

"We want to show our support for the Libyan people as they move towards holding general elections, and focus on the importance of the withdrawal of foreign forces and mercenaries," one of the officials said.

The summit, which focuses on Libya and is organized with the United Nations, Germany and Italy in Paris on November 12, is expected to include about 20 regional and international leaders.

The controversy over the elections scheduled for December 24 threatens to spoil Libya's efforts to end nearly 10 years of chaos and violence.

Wider peace efforts contributed to a transitional government of national unity holding power pending elections.