In the latest of their reconciliation meetings, east-based parliament Speaker Aquila Saleh held surprise talks with Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar at Benina International Airport in Benghazi city.
A brief LNA statement said Thursday’s meeting with Saleh and several MPs tackled the latest developments in Libya.
Media affiliated with Abdulhamid Dbeibeh’s Government of National Unity (GNU) reported that Saleh vowed to Haftar that he “would not hold negotiations with the government or Presidential Council without first consulting him.”
Haftar confirmed to Saleh that the LNA supports all efforts aimed at ensuring the success of the presidential and parliamentary elections set for December.
He called on the international community and UN mission to offer the necessary support to ensure that they are held.
The parliament and army seek national unity, preserving Libya’s sovereignty and supporting national reconciliation efforts, he added.
For his part, Saleh warned that Libya was in for challenging times if it does not unify its state institutions. He stressed the need to prepare well to hold the elections and for a budget to be dedicated to the army so that it can carry out its duties in full.
Meanwhile, Dbeibeh said he held talks on Thursday with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on ways the international community can support Libya’s stability and efforts to hold the elections.
In a statement, he stressed the importance of the international partnership in helping Libya rid itself of foreign mercenaries and fighters.
He underscored the need for the mercenaries and fighters to withdraw from the North African country without delay to achieve stability and hold transparent and free elections.
