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Libya: 5+5 Commission Announces Mechanism for Mercenaries Withdrawal

Libyan National Army (LNA) members head out of Benghazi to reinforce troops advancing towards Tripoli, in Benghazi, Libya, April 7, 2019. (Reuters)
Libyan National Army (LNA) members head out of Benghazi to reinforce troops advancing towards Tripoli, in Benghazi, Libya, April 7, 2019. (Reuters)
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Libya: 5+5 Commission Announces Mechanism for Mercenaries Withdrawal

Libyan National Army (LNA) members head out of Benghazi to reinforce troops advancing towards Tripoli, in Benghazi, Libya, April 7, 2019. (Reuters)
Libyan National Army (LNA) members head out of Benghazi to reinforce troops advancing towards Tripoli, in Benghazi, Libya, April 7, 2019. (Reuters)

The 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) concluded Thursday a three-day meeting in Cairo where it agreed with representatives of Chad, Niger, and Sudan on establishing an effective communication and coordination mechanism for the departure of mercenaries and foreign forces from the Libyan territories .

They agreed on implementing a a gradual, balanced, synchronized, and sequenced process, saying the mechanism will enable taking the first steps in the withdrawal process that will take fully into account the needs and concerns of Libya and its neighbors.

"The mechanism envisages the establishment of communication and coordination committees in Libya and neighboring countries that will be tasked with communicating and coordinating the withdrawal of mercenaries and foreign fighters as well as the holding of meetings during the implementation process between the JMC and Libyan authorities and representatives of the neighboring countries of Chad, Niger, and Sudan," a UNSMIL statement on the JMC meeting read.

For his part, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Ján Kubis, hailed the continuous efforts of the JMC in this regard.

"I am honored to witness this progress achieved by Libya, Chad, Niger, and Sudan, working in the spirit of common interest and partnership that will open the doors to sustainable stability, security, development, and cooperation in the region," he noted.

"This responds to the overwhelming demand of the Libyan people and further creates a positive momentum in light of the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections on 24 December."

Meanwhile, the UN continues to exert pressure on the Libyan Parliament to amend the presidential and parliamentary electoral laws, amid plans to hold elections in December.

On Thursday, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, Youssef Al-Aqouri, discussed during a virtual meeting with UNSMIL Assistant Secretary-General and Coordinator, Residen Zeninga, the requirements for the success of the electoral process.

“The success of the elections requires commitment to the outcomes of the Geneva Conference, including the removal of foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya," Aqouri said.

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Arab World

Egypt Concerned Over Developments in Iran

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi meet in Istanbul last Saturday (Egyptian Foreign Ministry) 
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi meet in Istanbul last Saturday (Egyptian Foreign Ministry) 
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Egypt Concerned Over Developments in Iran

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi meet in Istanbul last Saturday (Egyptian Foreign Ministry) 
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi meet in Istanbul last Saturday (Egyptian Foreign Ministry) 

Egypt on Sunday expressed its “deep concern” over the latest developments in Iran following the US attacks on the country’s nuclear sites. It condemned the growing escalation, warning of its serious consequences on regional and international peace and security.

Although the foreign ministry’s statement did not directly refer to the US, an Egyptian diplomatic source told Asharq Al-Awsat, “We do not need to explain what is well-known. The Foreign Ministry statement condemned escalation following the US bombing. Everyone knows that Egypt meant the actions of Washington and not others.”
In the statement, Egypt reaffirmed its rejection of any violations of the UN Charter and international law, stressing the need to respect the sovereignty of states.
It also warned anew against the dangers should the region slide into further chaos and tension.
The statement emphasized that political solutions and diplomatic negotiations, not military action, are the only path to resolving the crisis and achieving a lasting settlement.
Egypt then renewed its call for de-escalation, self-restraint and dialogue, in order to protect civilian lives and preserve the security and stability of the region.

The statement came after the United States attacked early on Sunday Iran's three nuclear facilities at Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan. According to observers, the current escalation between Washington and Tehran is among the most dangerous in years.

Dr. Amr Al-Shobaki, an expert at Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, said Egypt has a strong strategic alliance with the US.

However, tension lately arose after US President Donald Trump insisted that Egypt should accept displaced Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

In its FM statement condemning the attack on Iran, “Egypt did not want to clearly refer to the US,” Al-Shobaki told Asharq Al-Awsat.

He said Egypt’s statement spoke in general when it warned of the serious consequences on regional and international peace and security.

“Cairo expressed its concern about the strike, but did not directly mention the US. It wanted to prevent an open confrontation and further tension in relations between both countries,” Al-Shobaki added.

On Saturday night, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi spoke by phone with his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.

Sisi expressed Egypt's complete rejection of the ongoing Israeli escalation against Iran, unlike the FM statement released following the US strikes and which did not mention Washington.

Meanwhile, Egypt continues to exert efforts to deescalate tensions in the region.

In this regard, Sisi on Sunday spoke by phone with the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said. Sisi emphasized the need to halt the ongoing escalation between Israel and Iran, warning of the grave consequences of the expanding conflict in the region.

Sisi also praised the role played by the Sultanate in mediating between Iran and the United States, stressing the need to restore and strengthen the negotiating process to spare the region the scourge of war.
Meanwhile, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty made two separate phone calls with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani on the need to avoid further chaos and tension in the region.

The ministers emphasized the importance of halting military escalation and achieving a ceasefire, a Foreign Ministry statement said.

“They called for prioritizing political and diplomatic solutions as the only viable path out of the current crisis,” it added.

They also underscored the need to respect the sovereignty of states, uphold international law and adhere to the United Nations Charter.