UNSMIL conditioned the participation in Libyan dialogue in Tunisia to abstaining from holding government or sovereign positions.
UNSMIL said in a statement the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) will be held according to a hybrid formula, through a series of virtual sessions as well as face-to-face meetings.
"In these challenging times, UNSMIL is deeply grateful to the government of the Republic of Tunisia for hosting the first face-to-face meeting of the LPDF in early November, following the preparatory virtual consultations."
UNSMIL said the overall objective of the LPDF will be to generate consensus on a unified governance framework and arrangements that will lead to the holding of national elections in the shortest possible timeframe in order to restore Libya’s sovereignty and the democratic legitimacy of Libyan institutions.
"The decision to convene an expanded and inclusive LPDF follows weeks of extensive engagement with key Libyan and international stakeholders. The LPDF will be based on the progress and the consensual views emerging from the recent consultations among Libyans, including the Montreux recommendations and the understandings reached in Bouznika and Cairo." UNSMIL said.
It added that the LPDF also builds upon extensive consultations held as part of the National Conference Process, which highlighted the shared Libyan demand for: an end to the transitional period; the holding of national elections; and, the establishment of an effective executive body that can provide basic services to the Libyan people.
"The United Nations will hold direct, face-to-face talks between delegations of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) in Geneva beginning on 19 October, with the hospitality of the Government of Switzerland." UNSMIL indicated.
It added that the JMC 5+5 talks will build on previous deliberations and on the recommendations that emerged from the meeting held in Hurghada from 28 to 30 September, hosted by the Egyptian authorities, under UNSMIL auspices.
"The United Nations urges a complete stand-down of all military maneuvers and reinforcements to enable an agreement on a lasting ceasefire, including a demilitarized zone in central Libya, as well as to create the space for constructive political discussions." UNSMIL explained.
It added that prior to the convening of the LPDF, the United Nations will facilitate consultations between delegations of the House of Representatives and the High Council of State on constitutional matters in Cairo between 11 and 13 October with the hospitality of the Government of Egypt.
"We expect the delegations to discuss legal and constitutional options which may be put forward to the LPDF to facilitate the deliberations on the constitutional arrangements going forward." It remarked.
The United Nations mission urgeed all Libyan political and military actors to demonstrate leadership by committing unequivocally to support this process. The United Nations calls on all Libyans to take full advantage of this window of opportunity to restore lasting peace, security, prosperity, human rights and accountability for the Libyan people who have endured years of protracted conflict and political fragmentation.
