Libya – Announcement by the 5+5 Joint Military Commission of the reopening of the coastal road (30 July 2021)

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France welcomes the official statement issued by the Libyan 5+5 Joint Military Commission on July 30 announcing the reopening of the coastal road between Sirte and Misrata. This is a major step forward in the implementation of the ceasefire signed on October 23, 2020, and on the path toward a political transition in Libya.

The reopening of the coastal road reflects the determination of all the Joint Military Commission’s participants to act constructively to implement the ceasefire agreement on the ground. It also represents the first joint success of the country’s armed forces, opening the way to their reunification. This is a prerequisite for peace in Libya, as emphasized by the participants in the July 15 ministerial meeting at the Security Council, chaired by Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian.

France encourages all the Parties to continue their efforts toward a full implementation of the ceasefire agreement. In that regard, France underscores the need to urgently begin the process of withdrawing all foreign forces and mercenaries and demobilizing armed groups so that Libya may regain its full sovereignty.

France will remain fully committed to the success of the political transition in Libya, supporting the efforts of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Libya, Ján Kubiš. It applauds the announcement that the Libyan House of Representatives will meet on August 2 to clarify the legal basis and adoption of the legislation needed to hold legislative and presidential elections on December 24. It urges all Libyan leaders to assume their responsibilities without delay in order to complete this process.