Libya

Authorities in western Libya released 120 fighters from a rival eastern force on Wednesday, the latest move towards reconciliation in a UN-backed peace process aimed at ending years of violence. The men were fighting for the 107th Brigade under the command of eastern military strongman Khalifa Haftar, who in April 2019 launched an offensive to seize Tripoli from a unity government.

The Council today extended the mandate of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) military operation in the Mediterranean - EUNAVFOR MED IRINI - until 31 March 2023.

Libya's new unity government on Thursday called for the "immediate" withdrawal of all foreign mercenaries, in a call backed by the visiting top diplomats of France, Germany, and Italy.

“The House of Representatives on 10 March overwhelmingly endorsed the Government of National Unity (GNU)”, Ján Kubiš told the Security Council during his first briefing as Special Envoy, and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). Over 130 members gathered for the session, which “in itself was a historic political milestone” he said, pointing out that the new cabinet reflects different regions and constituencies.

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Led by interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, the Government of National Unity (GNU) replaces both the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and a parallel cabinet headquartered in the Cyrenaica region and not recognised by the international community.

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An arms embargo imposed on Libya by the Security Council in 2011 remains “totally ineffective” a UN Panel of Experts has said, adding that civilians, including migrants and asylum seekers, continue to suffer widespread rights violations and abuses. 

The new cabinet, headed by Abdelhamid Dbeibah, is tasked with implementing a UN-brokered political road map leading to December polls.

Lawmakers in the war-torn country have voted in favor of the interim government to lead Libya through long-delayed elections, scheduled for December 24.

Libya's prime minister-designate demanded the departure Tuesday of an estimated 20,000 foreign fighters as he sought support from lawmakers to help end a grinding civil war in the North African nation.

The United Nations has confirmed the deployment a small advance team to Libya in accordance with the Secretary General’s recommendation in his report of 29 December 2020 and subsequent to the Security Council’s request of 4 February, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) reported Thursday.