GENEVA 

The UN said that the Joint Military Commission, also known as JMC, 5+5, convened in Geneva on Wednesday to discuss developing a comprehensive action plan for the withdrawal of mercenaries, foreign fighters, and foreign forces from Libya.

The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) facilitated the meeting.

The 5+5 Joint Military Commission is made up of five senior military officers from the Libyan government and five chosen by warlord Khalifa Haftar.

“As always, your task is bigger than its military and security aspects; your task has a direct impact on the overall developments in the country, on regaining its sovereignty, stability, security, and unity,” said UN Special Envoy on Libya Jan Kubis.

“Everyone understands how critical this meeting is for the sake of the country. Everyone understands that if you will manage to come together and agree on such an action plan, you will be sending a signal, not only to the political leaders and institutions in the country but a signal of hope also to your people,” Kubis added.

Following the 2020 cease-fire agreement, then Special Envoy for Libya Stephanie Williams had said: “The parties agreed that all military units and armed groups on the frontlines shall return to their camps.

“This shall be accompanied by the departure of all mercenaries and foreign fighters from all Libyan territories – land, air, and sea – within a maximum period of three months from today.”