UN Mission in Libya welcomes meeting of Chiefs of General Staff in Sirte

Tunis, Sept 10 (KUNA) -- The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) expressed its welcome on Thursday for the meeting that brought together the chiefs of staff of the naval, air, and air defense forces from across Libya in the city of Sirte, viewing it as a step toward unifying Libya’s military institution.

In a statement, UNSMIL commended the participants’ commitment to taking further practical steps to enhance coordination and cooperation, including joint training and communications. It regarded the meeting, which builds on previous efforts, as an important step in building trust and advancing the unification of the military institution.

The UN mission reaffirmed its commitment to supporting this Libyan-led and Libyan-owned process, praising Libyan military leaders for taking these steps and encouraging them to continue dialogue and cooperation in the service of peace, stability, and national unity.

Yesterday, Wednesday, the chiefs of staff of the air, naval, and air defense forces belonging to the Government of National Unity in western Libya and those of the forces in eastern Libya agreed on a joint work program and implementation plans to enhance cooperation and integration across various military fields as part of efforts to unify Libya’s military institution.

The Libyan army is divided between forces in the west loyal to the Government of National Unity, led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, and forces in the east commanded by Khalifa Haftar.

The military institution is engaged in a dialogue, facilitated by UNSMIL, aimed at unification within the framework of the Joint Military Commission (5+5), which comprises five military representatives from each side. (End) S.B.M. / M.M.J.