UN Libya envoy ‘optimistic’ on ceasefire prospects

AF P ,21 ST OCTOBER ,2020Libya’s rival factions have agreed to maintain a lull in fighting and open internal land and air routes, the UN’S envoy to the troubled North African country said Wednesday, expressing optimism about prospects for a ceasefire.

The two sides meeting in Geneva had agreed to “support and continue the current calm on the frontlines and to avoid any military escalation,” said Stephanie Williams, acting head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

“I’m quite optimistic... there is an air of seriousness and commitment,” she said on the prospect for a ceasefire.

But she stressed that “the degree of foreign intervention and foreign interference in Libya is unacceptable.” Libya has been wracked by conflict since the overthrow and killing of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011 in a NATO-backed uprising.

Rival power centres and a myriad of militias are vying for control, human rights violations have been rampant, and traffickers are using the chaos to smuggle desperate migrants on dangerous sea journeys to Europe.

The capital Tripoli in the west is held by the internationallyrecognised Government of National Accord (GNA), while a parliament based in the eastern city of Tobruk is backed by forces led by military commander Khalifa Haftar.

Haftar, supported by Russia, the UAE and Egypt, launched an offensive on Tripoli in April 2019 but was pushed back early this year as pro-gna forces received crucial support from Turkey.

Fighting has since stalled around the central coastal city of Sirte, Kadhafi’s hometown.

Williams said the UN’S aim was to protect the 130,000 population of Sirte, previously held by Islamic State group militants.