US Pledges to Support Unity of Libyan Military

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Abdoulaye Bathily, and municipal leaders in the Amazigh town of Jadu in western Libya. Photo: Bathily's account on X
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Abdoulaye Bathily, and municipal leaders in the Amazigh town of Jadu in western Libya. Photo: Bathily's account on X
TT

US Pledges to Support Unity of Libyan Military

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Abdoulaye Bathily, and municipal leaders in the Amazigh town of Jadu in western Libya. Photo: Bathily's account on X
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Abdoulaye Bathily, and municipal leaders in the Amazigh town of Jadu in western Libya. Photo: Bathily's account on X

The United States has expressed continued support for efforts to unify the Libyan military.

During a visit this week to Misrata and Al Khoms, “the US Defense Attache delegation made productive visits to the Central Military Zone, Al Khoms naval base, and various important military and counterterrorism forces,” the US embassy to Libya said on X.

The statement expressed US appreciation to these forces’ strategic role and commitment to peace.

“We will continue to support efforts in all regions of Libya to promote enduring security, unify the Libyan military, and safeguard Libyan sovereignty,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Abdoulaye Bathily, met on Monday with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Libya Shimmura Izuru.

“We reviewed the current political, security, and economic landscape, and the challenges to advancing the political process, including forming a unified government,” Bathily said on X.

He also met with French Ambassador Mustafa Mihraj to discuss the latest political and security developments in Libya and the prospects for reviving the stalled political process.

“We also touched on the situation in neighboring countries and the possible impact on Libya,” Bathily said on X.

Furthermore, Bathily visited the Amazigh town of Jadu in western Libya and met with municipal leaders there.

“Throughout my visits to numerous cities, engaging with a variety of citizens and cultural groups, I’ve discerned a clear desire among the Libyan people to resolve this crisis and achieve stability. The responsibility for the current division in the country squarely lies with its political leaders,” Bathily stated.

“Given that electoral laws are in place, the time is now ripe for a political settlement and the formation of a unified government to lead the country until elections are completed. I urge you, as Amazigh municipal leaders, to engage with national leaders to find a solution to the Libyan crisis,” he added.



France to Host Syria Meeting with Arab, Turkish, Western Partners in January

This aerial view shows people celebrating the ouster of Syria's president Bashar al-Assad, around the New Clock Tower along Quwatli Street in the center of Homs on December 18, 2024. (AFP)
This aerial view shows people celebrating the ouster of Syria's president Bashar al-Assad, around the New Clock Tower along Quwatli Street in the center of Homs on December 18, 2024. (AFP)
TT

France to Host Syria Meeting with Arab, Turkish, Western Partners in January

This aerial view shows people celebrating the ouster of Syria's president Bashar al-Assad, around the New Clock Tower along Quwatli Street in the center of Homs on December 18, 2024. (AFP)
This aerial view shows people celebrating the ouster of Syria's president Bashar al-Assad, around the New Clock Tower along Quwatli Street in the center of Homs on December 18, 2024. (AFP)

France will host a meeting on Syria with Arab, Turkish, western partners in January, said France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Wednesday.

The meeting will be a follow-up to the one held in Jordan last week.

Speaking in parliament, Barrot added that reconstruction aid and the lifting of sanctions in Syria would depend on clear political and security commitments by the new authorities.

The new Syrian transition authorities will not be judged on words, but on actions over time, he stressed.

Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkiye's Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed that the transition in Syria should be respectful of the rights of all communities in the country, the French presidency said after the leaders spoke by phone on Wednesday.

"They expressed their wish that a peaceful and representative political transition, in accordance with the principles of resolution 2254, respectful of the fundamental rights of all communities in Syria, be conducted as soon as possible," an Elysee statement said, referring to a United Nations Security Council resolution.  

Barrot added that fighting in northeastern Syrian cities of Manbij and Kobane must stop immediately.

France is working to find deal between Turks and Kurds in Syria’s northeast that meets interests of both sides, he revealed.

Macron made clear in his call with Erdogan that Kurdish Syrians needed to be fully-integrated in political transition process, continued the FM.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces must be part of the political transition process, he urged.