Forum for Libya's national reconciliation kicks off in Tripoli

TRIPOLI, Libya

The founding forum of the Libyan national reconciliation commission on Monday kicked off in Tripoli with UN and EU representatives attending.

The forum was attended by top Libyan officials, including both Vice Presidents of the Presidency Council Musa al-Koni and Abdullah al-Lafi, Justice Minister Halima Ibrahim, and Minister of Displaced Affairs Ahmed Abu Khuzam, according to a written statement by the Libyan Presidency Council.

UN Development Program representative in Libya Gerardo Noto, UN Humanitarian Coordinator Georgette Gagnon and African Union representative in Libya Wahida Ayari participated in the forum via video link.

Speaking at the forum, al-Lafi stressed the importance of the national reconciliation which paves the way for the general elections in December.

Gagnon, for her part, said the UN supports the comprehensive reconciliation process in Libya as a way to achieve stability in the country.

On Sunday, the Libyan Presidency Council announced the start of the forums for achieving the national reconciliation over a month.

Early in April, the council announced the creation of a national reconciliation commission to set Libya for social peace.

Libyans hope the new unity government will end years of civil war that have engulfed the country since the ouster and killing of strongman Muammar al-Qaddafi in 2011.

*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara