The UN Envoy to Libya, Jan Kubis, has welcomed the approval of the 5 + 5 Joint Military Committee (JMC) of an Action Plan aimed at gradually removing mercenaries and foreign fighters from the country.

 “I am honoured to witness this historic moment at this critical juncture in Libya’s path towards peace and democracy," Kubis said in a statement released by the UN Mission Friday.

He added that the agreement responds to an overwhelming demand of the Libyan people and creates a positive momentum that should be built upon to move forward towards a stable and democratic stage.

In the same statement, the mission commended "the patriotism and commitment of the JMC members", encouraging them to seize this opportunity to promote the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement through this action plan, including through the UN ceasefire monitors, which should take place soon.

It further urged UN member states to assist the 5+5 JMC and the Libyan authorities in implementing the Action Plan, expressing readiness to support the Libyan efforts in this regard and in unifying the military institution and initiating a disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) and security sector reform (SSR) processes in Libya.

Earlier on Friday, the JMC concluded a three-day meeting at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, where they signed a comprehensive Action Plan, described by the UN mission as  "the cornerstone for the gradual, balanced, and sequenced process of the withdrawal of mercenaries, foreign fighters and foreign forces from Libyan territory."