The UN Acting Envoy to Libya Stephanie Williams has urged Libyans not to allow any party to "take away their opportunity for peace."

Williams outlined in an interview with the UN News website recent developments including a nationwide ceasefire agreed last month and the start of political dialogue last week in neighbouring Tunisia. 

“After many years of oppression, division, chaos, misery and conflict, Libyans are coming together for the sake of Libya, for the sake of their children and grandchildren, to chart a Libyan vision for the way forward that has the opportunity to preserve the country’s unity and reassert its sovereignty,” she said.

She added that Libya is now back to producing oil following the lifting of a months-long blockade, explaining that a "trial project" to unify and restructure forces protecting petroleum facilities is underway. 

Williams recalled that the historic truce for Libya was reached in Geneva on 23 October, where the Joint Military Commission, comprising representatives from  the Government of National Accord (GNA) and Haftar's forces, “set their differences aside and, guided by their patriotic spirit, responded to the Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire.” 

"Only shared responsibility, nurtured by patriotism and love of the country, can lead to the shared security and prosperity for which so many Libyans yearn.  Libyans deserve, if not the support, then at least the non-interference of the main international actors as they seek to forge a sovereign political path forward for future Libyan generations.” Williams remarked.

She stressed the importance of the role and participation of Libyan women at the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum as 17 women out of 75 participants took part in the dialogue in Tunisia.