UNITED NATIONS, United States, March 13, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – The United
Nations Security Council called on Friday for the withdrawal of all foreign
forces and mercenaries from Libya “without further delay” in a unanimously
approved declaration.
It also welcomed the Libyan parliament’s approval of a new unified
government on Wednesday, which is set to lead the oil-rich country to
December elections after a decade of conflict following the removal of
dictator Moamer Kadhafi.
“The Security Council calls on all parties to implement the ceasefire
agreement in full and urges Member States to respect and support the full
implementation of the agreement,” the statement approved by all 15 council
members said.
According to the global body, around 20,000 foreign troops and mercenaries
remained in Libya at the end of 2020, and no withdrawals have been observed
since.
“The Security Council calls for full compliance with the UN arms embargo
by all Member States, in line with the relevant Security Council
resolutions,” the text said.
The arms embargo imposed since the NATO-led mission to overthrow Kadhafi
has been violated regularly for years, according to UN experts responsible
for its implementation.
Their annual report is expected in the coming days.
The experts have previously denounced the presence in Libya of Russian
mercenaries, Turkish troops and armed groups made up of Syrians, Chadians and
Sudanese.
“The Security Council recognizes the need to plan for the disarmament,
demobilisation and reintegration of armed groups, security sector reform and
to establish an inclusive, civilian-led security architecture for Libya as a
whole,” the statement added.