Williams Urges Libyans Not to Allow Anyone to Jeopardize Opportunity to Restore Peace

UN Photo/Violaine Martin. United Nations acting Libya envoy Stephanie Williams hosts the fourth round of the 5+5 Libyan Joint Military Commission, Palais des Nations. 19 October 2020.
UN Photo/Violaine Martin. United Nations acting Libya envoy Stephanie Williams hosts the fourth round of the 5+5 Libyan Joint Military Commission, Palais des Nations. 19 October 2020.
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Williams Urges Libyans Not to Allow Anyone to Jeopardize Opportunity to Restore Peace

UN Photo/Violaine Martin. United Nations acting Libya envoy Stephanie Williams hosts the fourth round of the 5+5 Libyan Joint Military Commission, Palais des Nations. 19 October 2020.
UN Photo/Violaine Martin. United Nations acting Libya envoy Stephanie Williams hosts the fourth round of the 5+5 Libyan Joint Military Commission, Palais des Nations. 19 October 2020.

United Nations acting Libya envoy Stephanie Williams called on Libyans to prevent obstructionists from jeopardizing the current "rare opportunity" to restore peace.

In an interview with the UN News, Williams outlined the recent developments, including the nationwide ceasefire agreed on last month.

“After many years of oppression, division, chaos, misery, and conflict, Libyans are coming together for the sake of Libya, for the sake of their children and grandchildren, to chart a Libyan vision for the way forward that has the opportunity to preserve the country’s unity and reassert its sovereignty,” she said.

Williams also said that Libya is now back to producing oil, stressing the impact of this development on the country’s economy. She also highlighted the “foreign intervention” in the country, and the importance of adhering to the arms’ embargo.

Meanwhile, Minister of Defense of the Government of National Accord (GNA) Salah El-Din Al-Namroush said cooperation with Turkey helps thwart any attempt to undermine the country’s sovereignty, security, and safety.

This came Saturday during a ceremony for Libyan soldiers who completed an eight-week training by the Turkish Armed Forces.

Also, Minister of the Interior of GNA Fathi Bashagha discussed with Minister of French Armed Forces Florence Parly methods to increase security cooperation and joint action.

Bashagha said the capabilities of the Ministry will be boosted after signing a partnership with France's Airbus Helicopters, adding that the Ministry would soon receive ten state-of-the-art helicopters.

The helicopters would be used in combating organized crime, terrorism, and in search and rescue operations, as well as in monitoring the coast and borders and human trafficking routes, he added.



Trump Administration Faces Pressure to Ease Sanctions on Syria

Members of the “Syrian-American Coalition for Peace and Prosperity” meet at the Republican Party headquarters in Washington with Senate Majority Leader Senator John Thune to discuss the urgent need to lift sanctions on Syria (X)
Members of the “Syrian-American Coalition for Peace and Prosperity” meet at the Republican Party headquarters in Washington with Senate Majority Leader Senator John Thune to discuss the urgent need to lift sanctions on Syria (X)
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Trump Administration Faces Pressure to Ease Sanctions on Syria

Members of the “Syrian-American Coalition for Peace and Prosperity” meet at the Republican Party headquarters in Washington with Senate Majority Leader Senator John Thune to discuss the urgent need to lift sanctions on Syria (X)
Members of the “Syrian-American Coalition for Peace and Prosperity” meet at the Republican Party headquarters in Washington with Senate Majority Leader Senator John Thune to discuss the urgent need to lift sanctions on Syria (X)

US lawmakers have renewed pressure on Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Pruitt to provide answers on their plans to ease the crippling economic sanctions on Syria.
The move comes as the United States seeks to influence the transitional process following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Two weeks after their initial letter, US Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and Representative Joe Wilson, Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent a bipartisan follow-up letter to Rubio, urging the State Department to provide details and a clear timeline on the Trump Administration’s plans to revise US sanctions on Syria following the collapse of the Assad regime.
In their letter, they acknowledged the historic opportunity Syria faces for rebuilding in the absence of Assad’s repressive regime.
“We are writing to request a follow-up briefing to discuss the specifics of the State Department’s plans to update US sanctions on Syria. As noted by your response, we mutually recognize Syria’s historic opportunity to rebuild in the absence of Assad’s repressive rule,” wrote the lawmakers.
The request follows a letter Warren and Wilson sent to the Department of State last month, pressing the administration to reevaluate outdated, broad-based sanctions that now risk undermining regional stability and reconstruction.
“Our current sanctions not only threaten Syria’s economic and social stability but also risk spurring migration, worsening dependency on illicit drug exports, and once again providing inroads for Iran or Russia,” they also noted.