Libyan chargé d’affaires says draft peace talks 'unfit' to end Libyan crisis

Representative of Tripoli government says draft peace talks need to be revised • Recognised Libyan embassy says Tobruk government looking forward to a comprehensive resolution on migration

Chargé d'Affairs at the Attard Libyan embassy, Hussin Musrati
Chargé d'Affairs at the Attard Libyan embassy, Hussin Musrati

Hussin Musrati, the chargé d’affaires at the Libyan embassy in Balzan, hit out at UN special envoy Bernardino Leon who’s leading peace talks among the warring factions in Libya.

Taking to Twitter, Musrati – the representative of the Tripoli government in Malta – said that the draft peace talks led by Leon were “not successful” and “unfit to end the Libyan crisis”. Musrati said that the proposals must be revised.

In view of the latest migrant tragedy, the United Nations urged all parties in Libya involved in the ongoing dialogue talks facilitated by the United Nations to redouble their efforts to reach an agreement as soon as possible, so as to begin the process of rebuilding institutions that would ensure the rule of law and the protection of human rights for all those residing in Libya.

Earlier this month, Leon announced that the rival factions had reached a draft accord which was “very close to a final agreement”. They are expected in Morocco this week to finalise the agreement.

Speaking to reporters, the envoy stressed however that any deal would need the approval of fighters on the ground: “This is very important because all this work, all these efforts, will not work, will be useless, if we don't bring completely on board all those who are taking decisions on the ground, who are fighting on the ground.”

On March 24, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya unveiled a six-point plan to end the crisis, including the formation of a transitional unity government until a new constitution is adopted and elections held.

On the other hand, the Libyan embassy in Ta’ Xbiex – representative of the internationally recognised Tobruk government – said it look forward to a comprehensive resolution to all aspects of the migration crisis.

Expressing its desire to be a true and effective partner within the Euro-Mediterranean framework, the Libyan Embassy said this could be achieved in cooperation with African countries that served as launching pads for migrants to Libya and consequently to Europe.

It called for the cooperation and support from the international community against “the rising dangers of terrorist groups that dominated the outlets and institutions of the state”.

“Irregular migration is just one of the problems Libya is facing,” the embassy said.