Libya's 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) launched on Saturday a new round of UN-sponsored talks in Egypt's capital Cairo to discuss plans for the pullout of foreign forces from the countries neighboring Libya, Sudan, Niger, and Chad.
During the opening session, head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Jan Kubis, expressed his appreciation for the willingness of the representatives of Chad, Niger, and Sudan to work with the 5+5 JMC on the withdrawal of mercenaries and foreign fighters from Libya, in a way that does not affect the stability in their countries and the region.
Kubis pointed out that the UN mission will continue to help Libya restore its stability, unity, and full sovereignty.
He lauded the "tireless efforts" of the JMC to implement the ceasefire agreement, starting with maintaining its continuity, opening the airspace, exchanging detainees, making a joint effort to secure the artificial river, and opening the coastal road.
Kubis said that the comprehensive Action Plan, signed by the JMC during its recent meeting in Geneva, will serve as the cornerstone for the gradual, balanced, and sequenced withdrawal of mercenaries, foreign fighters, and foreign forces from Libyan territory.
The official stressed that the action plan is a Libyan plan approved by the JMC and enjoys the support of the Libyan authorities, adding that it is also a plan-led and nationally owned, carrying tangible ideas and determinants of implementation.
He added that the plan is essential for a long path towards peace, stability, security and cooperation, and sustainable development in Libya and the region.
Kubis explained that the meeting, and all subsequent meetings, are only the first steps in preparing a concrete implementation plan for the withdrawal of all mercenaries, foreign fighters, and forces from Libya, which is also crucial in light of the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections.
"I would like to express my hope that your meeting in Cairo will result in a mutual understanding of major building blocks and coordination mechanisms necessary for the withdrawal and will enable agreeing on the first steps of the withdrawal process that will take fully into account the needs and concerns of Libya and its neighbors," said Kubis.
"I count on your full cooperation as well as the support of the African Union in this noble and critically important endeavor."
Meanwhile, Libyan Foreign Minister Najla al-Manqoush warned of the "real threat" of a civil war erupting after the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.
Speaking to BBC, Maqoush hoped "free and fair" elections would be held despite the security issues, which she trusted won't affect the electoral process.
The war will bring the country back to square one, which means the presence of weapons and foreign influence affecting the elections, said the minister, noting that "there is always hope."
She urged all parties to participate in the democratic process, expecting Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the commander-in-chief of the Libyan National Army (LNA), to accept the elections' results.
Haftar is in the country's east and temporarily retired from his position in preparation for the upcoming presidential elections.
