The United Nations envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame, said Thursday that it is about time a nationwide reconciliation has taken effect in Libya.

Salame added in the South Reconciliation Forum in Tunisia that the Libyan south plays a key role in the national unity and border protection of Libya, adding that in 2018, The UNSMIL plans to increase its footprint in the southern region.

“The UN Action Plan has short and long-term components; establishing an effective government to deliver the needed services to Libyans is a short-term goal and we are still trying to achieve it." The UNSMIL Twitter account reported Salame as telling the attendees.

He added that the long-term goals are the constitution, elections and reconciliation, saying that such meetings as this forum would pave a perfect way to the National Conference.

"The action plan includes finding a government that betters the living conditions of Libyans, yet the UNSMIL is facing difficulties finding such a government, but is still trying." Salame explained.

The UNSMIL also reported that the participants in the South Reconciliation Forum urged the UN to unify Libyan institutions; support national reconciliation; transitional justice; disarmament; development and increasing women and youth participation. They also called for Fezzan to be declared a disaster region.