On Thursday, the UN envoy to Libya, Abdullah Batili, made an official visit to the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, to discuss developments in the Libyan crisis.
Batelli said in a tweet on his Twitter account: “Today, an official tour began in the neighboring countries of southern Libya – Sudan, Chad and Niger – within the framework of the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya to restore peace and stability to the country, especially through the support of the 5 + 5 Joint Military Committee in Libya.” Implementing the ceasefire agreement, and accelerating the withdrawal of foreign fighters, foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya.
He added, “The presence of foreign fighters, foreign forces, and mercenaries in Libya poses a great threat to peace and stability in the country and the region. We need to work with our partners to meet this challenge without negatively affecting Libya’s neighboring countries or the region.”
During the visit, Batili met with the head of the Sudanese Transitional Sovereignty Council, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, who expressed his support for the efforts of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya.
During the meeting, Lieutenant General Al-Burhan stressed that achieving peace and stability in Libya will contribute to the stability of the entire region.
Batelli briefed the Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council on the efforts of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya to restore stability and peace to the country, including by working for the return of foreign fighters, foreign forces and mercenaries, in coordination with their countries of origin.
The UN envoy Abdullah Batili also met with the Sudanese Minister of Defense, Major General Yassin Ibrahim, to review the progress made by the 5 + 5 joint military committee and the liaison committees in Libya, Sudan, Chad and Niger regarding the withdrawal of foreign fighters, foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya.
Major General Ibrahim affirmed his ministry’s commitment to continuing joint cooperation and supporting the coordinated withdrawal of all these elements and their reintegration into the regular forces, and called for the support of the United Nations to enhance border security between Sudan and Libya.
General Ibrahim affirmed his ministry’s commitment to pursue joint cooperation and support for a coordinated withdrawal of all these elements and their reintegration into regular forces. He called for UN support to enhance border security between Sudan and Libya. pic.twitter.com/sHVy26Prxz
– SRSG Abdoulaye Bathily (@Bathily_UNSMIL) March 30, 2023
In the same context, Batili met with the Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ali Al-Sadiq, during which they exchanged views on the recent developments in Libya, and it was agreed on the importance of concerted efforts to face common challenges, including border security between the two countries.
Mr. Al-Sadiq expressed the Sudanese government’s support for the efforts undertaken by the United Nations in Libya to overcome the political crisis and lead the country to comprehensive elections.
His Excellency the Minister expressed the support of the Sudanese government for the good offices of the United Nations in Libya to overcome the intractable political crisis and lead the country to comprehensive elections.
– SRSG Abdoulaye Bathily (@Bathily_UNSMIL) March 30, 2023
