Boris Johnson voices UK support for Libya peace process in call with interim PM

Johnson voiced his support for Libya's political process, while Turkey vowed to retain its military presence in the country

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab Staff

13 February, 2021

Johnson voiced his support for Libya's political process [Getty]

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday held a phone call with his interim Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, congratulating him on his appointment while reiterating Britain's support for the political process in Libya, reported Anadolu Agency.

"He [Johnson] offered our full support to his administration as they seek to implement the October 2020 ceasefire agreement and work to improve public services and governance," said a readout by the UK premier's office.

"They agreed to remain in close contact in the coming months as the interim government prepares for national elections later this year," it added.

Dbeibeh underlined his intention to "bring Libyans together and stabilize the country", the readout said.

Meanwhile, the UN Special Envoy for Libya Jan Kubis on Friday spoke with actors in the war-torn country and thanked them "for their active participation in the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum".

Kubis spoke with President of the High Council of State Khaled al-Meshri, Deputy President of the Presidency Council Ahmed Maetig and Interior Minister Fathi Bashaga and "acknowledged their work to achieve progress in political, economic, and security files", according to a statement from the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

"He sought their views on the next steps to ensure the swift formation of the interim government, and further advances in the economic, social, and security areas, in creating unified structures and authorities, in moving forward on national reconciliation, as well as on implementation of the Roadmap with a view to holding national elections on 24 December 2021," the statement added.

Kubis also spoke to warlord Khalifa Haftar to "discuss developments and priorities, in particular in the security file, where he welcomed his support to the implementation of the ceasefire".

Libya's rival political groups agreed to form an interim unity government after five days of talks in Switzerland.

Mohammad Younes Menfi was elected to head the Presidency Council and Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh as prime minister.

Turkish troops will remain stationed in Libya while the bilateral military agreement between Ankara and Tripoli is active and Libya's government requests it, Reuters reported presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin saying on Thursday.

In an interview with state broadcaster TRT Haber, Kalin said Turkish companies would also help to rebuild war-torn Libya, adding that Ankara would provide support to the newly elected interim government.

Dbeibeh described Turkey as a "friend and ally", in an interview with Anadolu Agency earlier this week, saying his government will strive to achieve peace in his war-torn country and Ankara can help achieve those goals.

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