The United Nations envoy to Libya, Jan Kubis, expressed his hope that the meeting of the Joint Military Committee would come out with a mutual understanding on the foundations and coordination mechanisms necessary for the withdrawal of mercenaries and foreign forces.
Kubis said – during the committee meeting in Cairo – on Saturday, that the committee can agree on the first steps for the withdrawal process that will take fully into account the needs and concerns of Libya and its neighbors, stressing that today’s meeting and the meetings and consultations that will follow it, are only the first steps in the way of preparing A concrete plan for the withdrawal of all mercenaries, foreign fighters and foreign forces from Libya, which is important in light of the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections, he said.
The UN envoy added that the Joint Military Committee intends to develop a plan and mechanism to implement a gradual, balanced and sequential exit of all mercenaries, foreign fighters and foreign forces, through consultations and negotiations with Libya’s neighboring countries and other international partners.
Kubis thanked the representatives of Chad, Niger and Sudan for their participation in the Cairo meeting and their willingness to work with the Joint Military Committee (5+5) regarding the withdrawal of mercenaries and foreign fighters from Libya in a way that does not affect the stability of their countries and the region.