31 Jul – 6 Aug: UNSC welcomes proposed truce for Eid

Aug 7, 2019 | International actors

On 1 August, Libyan National Army (LNA)  head Khalifa Haftar had a meeting with Sisi in Cairo. The two allegedly discussed Egypt’s international support and assistance in lifting the current arms embargo on Libya. They also agreed that the LNA will hand over to Egypt several terrorists it has been pursing, as well as those captured in Tripoli, as a part of security coordination efforts between the LNA and Egypt.

On 4 August, according to an Egyptian spokesperson, Egyptian President Abdul Fatah al-Sisi had a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron in which they discussed the current state of play in Libya, as well as strategic ties between their countries. Sisi stated his support for the LNA’s fight against terrorism. Both Macron and Sisi affirmed their belief that joint efforts should be intensified to establish a solution to the Libya crisis: claiming their aims to be backing the UN plan for a ceasefire very soon and a renewed dialogue.

On 5 August, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) issued a press statement calling on all parties to commit to a ceasefire and a rapid return to a UN-mediated political process. The statement said UNSC members “welcomed and expressed full support” for UN Envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame’s proposal on 29 July for a truce between the parties to be declared for Eid al-Adha, accompanied by confidence-building measures.