Tunis conference urges formation of one unified Libyan army

But UN statement at the end of the three-day conference does not mention Libyan army or how Libya has so far failed to have General Khalifa Haftar join a unified command under the presidency council

States that attended the Libyan Political Dialogue talks, held in Tunis earlier this week, called on Libya’s Presidency Council to form a unified army and to address various issues such as electrical production, cash shortages at banks and the necessity to ensure all blocked roads remain open to improve security.

The meetings were organised by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya to ensure that there was a continued commitment to the implementation of the Libyan Political Agreement signed in Skhirat, Morocco, last December 17.

The meeting also was in recognition of the challenges to the implementation of the agreement that had led to the deterioration of basic services and necessities of life.

Just over half of the 40 Dialogue members attended, as they also got to meet the presidency council to discuss the difficulties the Council faced in trying to carry out its duty.

The PC had already fired top officials of state electricity producer GECOL including all board members, although it was not clear how much fault for the electricity shortages could be blamed on the GECOL management.

Some blackouts were caused by militia groups diverting power and in some areas pylons were sabotaged. The day before the firings, GECOL managed to have one unit up and running again in the recently recaptured power plant at Sirte.

The meeting also stressed the need to resume production and export of oil, although no mention was made of objections by members of the House of Representatives to the recent agreement on oil exports arrived at by the two rival national oil companies.

Khalifa Haftar always claimed that troops under his command will never join the GNA unless that government dismantle all outlaw militias
Khalifa Haftar always claimed that troops under his command will never join the GNA unless that government dismantle all outlaw militias

The Dialogue also discussed issues related to the State Council, a largely advisory body composed of former members of the General National Congress of the former Salvation Government based in Tripoli.

Some have complained the group has attempted to go beyond an advisory role.

The statement said the Dialogue would continue to meet regularly to check on implementation of the LPA.

The group renewed its support of the PC but said continuation of support was conditional on the PC and the GNA being successful in fulfilling the tasks assigned to them by the LPA.

A statement issued by UNSMIL did not mention General Khalifa Haftar and the failure to have him join a unified command under the PC as required by the LPA.

Indeed, the press statement did not even mention the creation of one unified Libyan army under PC command as a necessity for Libya to be unified and secure, even though this was one of the most important issues talked about yet it is not mentioned in the press release.