Special Envoy Ján Kubiš makes his first visit to Libya and meets with Libyan officials in Tripoli

The Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Ján Kubiš arrived in Tripoli yesterday, on his first visit to Libya after his appointment, to meet with officials Libyans and stakeholders in different parts of the country.

Special Envoy Kubiš, accompanied by the Assistant Secretary General (ASG) and UNSMIL Coordinator, Raisedon Zenenga, and the ASG / Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya, Georgette Gagnon, met today with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mohamed Siyala, Vice President of the Presidential Council (PC) Ahmed Mitig and PC member Abdulsalam Kajman, who congratulated him on his appointment and offered their full support to the Special Envoy in his mission, as well as in the work of the United Nations.

They discussed a wide range of issues, including national and international dynamics in light of the successful outcome of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) meeting in Switzerland, which resulted in the selection of a new unified interim executive authority, and the importance to move forward with the full implementation of the Roadmap, including a smooth transition of power.

Mr. Kubiš expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and reiterated the UN’s full support for the Libyan people in their quest for peace, stability, prosperity and unity, especially through the holding of national elections on December 24, 2021. He reaffirmed the continued support of the UN on the humanitarian and development fronts, especially in light of the challenges faced by the Libyan people due to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Special Envoy Kubiš, together with ASG / UNSMIL Coordinator Zenenga and ASG / HC / RC Gagnon, also met with the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Fathi Bashagha and commended him for his active participation and support of the LPDF. They discussed the political and security situation in Libya and highlighted the need to advance in the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement through the work of the 5 + 5 Joint Military Commission, as well as the LPDF Roadmap leading to the elections.

Special envoy Ján Kubiš continued his international contacts. On Monday he was received in Tunis by HE President of the Republic of Tunisia Kais Said and held a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Othman al-Jerandi. These days he has also had phone calls with the Algerian Foreign Ministers Sabri Boukadoum and Luigi Di Maio from Italy.