The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) welcomed the creation of a new joint force, from both sides of the demarcation lines, comprising the 166 Battalion for Protection and Security and the Tareq Bin Ziyad Brigade, which has been tasked to secure the Man-Made River.

UNSMIL commended these efforts, conducted in coordination with the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC), saying it is a very significant step forward towards the unification of the military institution and the country.

“I strongly welcome this achievement, which would not only ensure the security of the Great Man-Made River and uninterrupted flow of water supply, but also paves the way for further confidence-building measures and eventually for the full implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement as well as for the reunification of state institutions,” Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Libya, and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Jan Kubis said.

166 Battalion of the Libyan Army under the command of the Defense Minister/Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah agreed Wednesday with Tareq bin Ziyad Brigade under Haftar son's command to form a joint force to secure the Man-Made River.