As noted in the Facebook publication of the mission, an agreement on “a permanent ceasefire in Libya” was signed in Geneva. The document was signed by the representatives of the parties, who had been holding talks in Geneva since October 19, and by Stephanie Williams, acting UN secretary general’s special envoy to Libya.
Speaking at the ceremony, Williams stressed that the signed agreement represents “an extremely important first step towards resolving the Libyan conflict”. She thanked the parties for “moving forward” in “reaching a ceasefire agreement”. Williams also expressed hope that the ceasefire arrangement would provide an opportunity to “end the suffering of Libyans”.
Negotiations in Geneva have been held in the format of the Joint Military Committee “5 + 5”. Earlier, on Wednesday, Williams said at a briefing that the parties “agreed to open all land roads which connect all regions and cities in Libya”. In addition, an agreement was reached “on the opening of air routes in Libya” and, in particular, on “flights to the administrative capital of the southern region – Sabha”.
It is of importance to note, that the Geneva agreement on a ceasefire was not the first commonly agreed step between the Libyan conflict parties. On September 18, Field Marshal of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalifa Haftar announced that the country was resuming oil production and export, and the proceeds from the sale of the resource would be fairly distributed between the west, south and east of the state. This decision became possible due to inter-Libyan dialogue between the LNA and the vice-premier of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) Ahmed Maiteeq.
On October 21, vice-premier of the GNA also announced a consolidated budget for Libya. According to Maiteeq, the budget of the GNA would come to between 45 and 48 billion dinars. He noted that the possibility of a common budget was accomplished due to his agreement with Khalifa Haftar on the resumption of the oil production in Libya.
