UN leader: Foreign fighters still violating the ceasefire in Libya Middle East News

Antonio Guterres has called for an end to the arms embargo violations and the withdrawal of all foreign fighters.

UN chief Antonio Guterres has said foreign fighters and mercenaries remain in Libya last year for breaking the ceasefire agreement, demanding a withdrawal and a violation of the UN arms embargo.

In a report to the UN Security Council, Guterres said on Friday that the proper transfer of power to the new caretaker National Union (GNU) government “brings new hope for the country and its institutions to reunite and for lasting peace.” . However, he said that progress must be made on the political, economic and security path in order for the elections to take place this year.

Libya’s chaos has been shattered since a NATO-backed uprising in 2011 overthrew longtime leader Moammar Gaddafi and eventually divided the oil-rich country into a UN-recognized government in Tripoli’s capital and rival authorities in the east of the country. Each side was supported by armed groups and foreign governments.

In April 2019, fugitive military commander Khalifa Haftar and eastern forces, backed by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates and Russian mercenaries, launched an offensive to try and attack Tripoli. The 14-month campaign collapsed after Turkey reinforced UN-recognized government military support with troops and Syrian mercenaries.

The October 2020 ceasefire agreement included a request for all foreign fighters and mercenaries to leave Libya within 90 days, and the new transitional national unity government and the elections scheduled for December 24 led to an agreement.

The UN estimated in December 2020 that there were at least 20,000 foreign fighters and mercenaries in Libya, including Syrians, Russians, Sudanese and Chadians. At an informal town hall meeting in late April, speakers said there were more than 20,000, including 13,000 Syrians and 11,000 Sudanese, according to diplomats.

‘No restrictions on foreign troops’

Guterres said in a new report that while the ceasefire is maintained, the UN political mission in Libya has reported on strongholds and defensive positions in central Libya on a key route in the country between the strategic city of Sirte in central Libya, the gateway to the country. essential oil fields and export terminals, and Jufra.

“Despite the commitments made by the parties, the air cargo activities were reportedly continued with flights to various air bases in the western and eastern regions of Libya,” the secretary-general said. “Reports stated that there were no restrictions on foreign fighters or their activities in central Libya.”

Guterres said the GNU should prioritize security sector reform, including fulfilling senior civilian and military appointments, paving the way for the reunification of the Libyan army and the fight against the proliferation of armed groups.

“It is essential to put one of the largest weapons and ammunition in the uncontrolled world under state control,” he said. “I reiterate my call on member states and Libyan national actors to end violations of the arms embargo and to facilitate the withdrawal of foreign fighters and mercenaries from the country.”

Last month, the Security Council passed a resolution calling on all foreign forces and mercenaries to leave Libya and to monitor a ceasefire agreement to allow a small UN group. In a letter to the city on April 7, Guterres proposed an initial maximum of 60 monitors for a pause deployment as part of the country’s UN mission.