Libya... Consensus in Tunisia, Tensions in Sirte

The Libyan talks were held in Tunisia Thursday under the supervision of the United Nations and the presence of 75 participants to discuss the distribution of power after the announcement of an agreement to organize elections within 18 months, at a time when tension was marred by parallel military negotiations.

Numerous negotiations have taken place between the two parties to the conflict in Libya since last June.

The dialogue is taking place in the neighboring country of Tunisia between figures who have pledged not to participate in the institutions that will be elected; it aims to bring the country out of the chaos that has continued since the collapse of Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011.

In parallel to the talks taking place in the tourist area of ​​Gammarth in the northern suburbs of Tunisia, military negotiations were taking place in Libya to complete the historic ceasefire agreement reached in October.

The 5 + 5 Joint Military Committee concluded the first meeting at its new headquarters in Sirte, and the sixth since its formation at the beginning of this year.

The aim of the meeting, which is the second meeting in Libya, coming as a continuation of the talks that began in Ghadames, was to accelerate the implementation of the ceasefire agreement signed on October 23 in Geneva.

In a press statement, Acting Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya Stephanie Williams said on Wednesday that Tunisia's discussions "are considered an opportunity to end the pisions" in the country.

The UN envoy added that representatives from different parts of Libya "reached a preliminary roadmap to end the transitional period and organize free, fair, inclusive and credible presidential and parliamentary elections."

The negotiations, which began on Monday and continue for a week, aim to create a framework and an interim government mandated to organize elections and provide services in a country that has been devastated by war for years, and the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the suffering of its people.