Rival Libyan Factions Commit To Cease-Fire, Elections

Libya's two main political rivals agreed to commit to a ceasefire as well as organizing elections "as soon as possible," according to a draft statement issued by the French presidency on Tuesday.



President Emmanuel Macron took the initiative to bring together Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj of the Tripoli-based UN-backed unity government and Libyan National Army commander Khalifa Haftar who heads rival forces in the east of the country.



Ghassan Salame, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya, also attended Tuesday's meeting held at La Celle Saint-Cloud, located in a western suburb of Paris.



According to the draft statement, the two rivals agreed that "the solution to the Libya crisis can only be a political one and requires a national reconciliation process involving all Libyans".



It went on to say such a process should include "institutional, security and military actors who are prepared to participate peacefully with the safe return of displaced persons and refugees".



The creation of a national amnesty process, a transitional justice system and reparations were also referenced in the document.



The two sides committed to a ceasefire and to "refrain from any use of armed force for any purpose that does not strictly constitute counterterrorism".



"We solemnly commit to work towards the holding of presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible as from 25 July in cooperation with the relevant institutions and with the support and under the supervision of the United Nations," the draft agreement added.



Tuesday's meeting was the first between the Libyan factions since exploratory talks hosted by the U.A.E. in Abu Dhabi in early May.



The 10-point draft declaration has called for the demobilization of militia fighters and the establishment of a regular Libyan army.



It also urged support for the rule of law in Libya and respect for human rights.



Libya has been locked in a state of violence and turmoil since 2011, when a bloody popular uprising ended with the ouster and death of former President Muammar Gaddafi.



The oil-rich North African country has remained turbulent, with the country's stark political divisions yielding at least three different seats of government and a host of rival militia groups. -