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Algeria’s Ramtane Lamamra Eyed as Next UN Libya Envoy

Algeria’s Ramtane Lamamra Eyed as Next UN Libya Envoy

Thursday, 12 March, 2020 - 07:30
Former Algerian foreign minister Ramtane Lamamra. Reuters file photo

Former Algerian foreign minister Ramtane Lamamra is being considered as UN envoy to Libya, diplomats said Wednesday, after Ghassan Salame resigned from the post last week.


Asharq Al-Awsat learned that UN chief Antonio Guterres put forward Lamamra after consultations among high-ranking officials.


Diplomats said most Security Council members supported the appointment.


Lamamra, 67, served as Algeria's foreign minister from 2013 to 2017 and as African Union commissioner for peace and security from 2008 to 2013. He has been a mediator in several African conflicts, notably in Liberia. 


Williams has been Deputy Special Representative for Political Affairs at the UN Mission in Libya since 2018 and has more than 24 years' experience in government and international affairs.


Salame announced his resignation on March 2, citing health reasons.


He had worked for months to bring about a ceasefire in Libya after Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar launched an offensive last April to seize the capital Tripoli, from militias backing the Government of National Accord (GNA) of Fayez al-Sarraj.


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