Guterres Reiterates Calls for Deploying Ceasefire Observers in Libya 

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, renewed his address to the Security Council regarding his proposal to deploy international observers in Libya to monitor the ceasefire agreement in Sirte.

Guterres said in his interim report to the Security Council that, "a team should be sent to the capital, Tripoli, as a first step to provide the foundations for a scalable UN mechanism for monitoring the ceasefire based in Sirte."

He confirmed that the 5 + 5 Joint Military Committee between the two parties to the conflict had requested the deployment of international observers, unarmed inpiduals and not wearing military uniforms, under the auspices of the United Nations.

Guterres indicated that the observers would work alongside joint monitoring teams from the Government of National Accord (GNA) and the Interim Government, emphasizing that the Libyan parties refused to deploy any foreign forces, including United Nations uniformed personnel.

He reiterated the commitment of the United Nations to assist and support the Joint Military Committee in activating the ceasefire agreement.

Earlier, the UN Chief proposed, in a report to the Security Council, the formation of an international observers committee that would include civilians and retired military personnel from international bodies, such as the African Union, the European Union and the Arab League.