6 – 13 Aug: UN and internationals welcome Eid truce despite violations

Aug 14, 2019 | International actors

On 8 August, the UN Envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame, briefed the UN Security Council via video link from Tripoli on the state of the planned UN-brokered ceasefire for the Eid al-Adha holiday (11 – 13 August). He said that a new comprehensive security plan for the capital was in place and that several armed groups had withdrawn from key government buildings. He explained that the plan was for armed groups outside the city to remain beyond the outskirts, while those within would reduce the level of intimidation on the streets and pull back from attacking institutions in the centre.

On 10 August, the Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement in support of the UN-backed ceasefire for Eid. On 12 August, the governments of France, Italy, the UAE, the UK and the US issued a joint statement calling on all parties to start working on a ceasefire agreement and resume efforts to build a lasting political solution. They reiterated that there can be no military option in Libya and urged all parties to protect civilians, safeguard Libya’s oil resources and protect its infrastructure.