Foreign Fighters Remain In Libya Despite Truce – UN Chief

The U.N. chief says foreign fighters and mercenaries remain in Libya in violation of last October’s cease-fire agreement and called for their withdrawal.

In a report to the U.N. Security Council, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the smooth transfer of power to a new interim government in March has brought renewed hope for the reunification of the country and for a lasting peace.

Guterres said the government of national unity must prioritize security sector reform including filling senior civilian and military appointments, producing a roadmap for reunifying the Libyan army.

He added that the progress must continue on the political, economic, and security tracks to enable elections to go ahead on Dec. 24.

The U.N. estimated in December that there were at least 20,000 foreign fighters and mercenaries in Libya, including Syrians, Russians, Sudanese, and Chadians.

Libya has been plagued by chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled dictator Muammar Gadhafi in 2011, and split the North African country between a U.N.-supported government in the capital, Tripoli, and rival authorities based in the country’s east.

In April 2019, east-based commander Khalifa Haftar and his forces, backed by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, launched an offensive to try and capture Tripoli.

His 14-month-long campaign collapsed after Turkey stepped up its military support of the U.N.-backed government with hundreds of troops and thousands of Syrian mercenaries.