UN special envoy urges inclusive approach to advancing national reconciliation for all Libyans

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) – UN Special Envoy to Libya Abdoulaye Bathily on Tuesday urged an inclusive approach to advancing national reconciliation for all Libyans.

"I met with Presidency Council Vice-President Abdullah Al-Lafi today in Tripoli. We discussed the national reconciliation process and agreed on the necessity to step up efforts towards an inclusive and methodical approach to advance national reconciliation for all Libyans," Bathily said on X.

He underlined the UN Support Mission in Libya's backing for the Presidential Council's initiatives, as well as the African Union's commitment to the successful completion of the important project.

Earlier, Bathily also met with Speaker of Libya’s House of Representatives Agila Saleh to discuss the political process.

"I emphasized the need for all leaders to positively engage in the dialogue I have proposed to reach a political settlement to end the stalemate that causes so much suffering to the Libyan people.

"Mr. Saleh shared his perspective and reiterated the necessity for a unified government to oversee elections. I stressed the need for a holistic & consensual solution that ends the transitional period and enables long-term stability," Bathily said.

During the closed-door meeting in Benghazi, they agreed to intensify consultations to reach a consensus with the other major stakeholders.

Separately, Bathily held consultations with the eastern members of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission in Benghazi.

"We discussed the security and political landscape in Libya and took stock of the current challenges.

"I urged them to step up their efforts to fully implement the ceasefire agreement and stressed the need for all Libyan leaders to support the equal inclusion of all regions in political, economic and security processes pertaining to the country’s future," he added.

Oil-rich Libya has remained in turmoil since 2011, when longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi was ousted after four decades in power. Since then the country has been divided into two parts, one is governed by the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord, the other by Benghazi-based military commander Khalifa Haftar.