UN Secretary General: Mercenaries and foreign fighters must leave Libya

Antonio Guterres urged Libyan parties “to exert every effort to ensure” that parliamentary and presidential elections are held on December 24

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is again urging countries to withdraw all foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libya, saying they continue to operate throughout the conflict-stricken North African country in violation of last October's agreement “with no discernible abatement of their activities.” The United Nations chief also urged countries supplying arms and military equipment to the foreign fighters to stop violating the United Nations arms embargo, saying, the movement of aircraft providing logistical support “also continued unabated” at airbases in central Libya in the strategic city of Sirte and nearby Jufra area. In a report to the United Nations Security Council circulated September 3, Mr. Guterres called for implementation of “a comprehensive plan for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all mercenaries and foreign forces from Libya, with clear timelines.” He also urged Libyan parties “to exert every effort to ensure” that parliamentary and presidential elections are held on December 24 in accordance with the political road map that ended hostilities last year. Libya has been wracked by chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011 and split the country between a U.N.-supported government in the capital, Tripoli, and rival authorities loyal to commander in the east. Each have been backed by different armed groups and foreign governments.