On 14 August, UN Special Representative Hanna Tetteh convened in Tunis with Libya’s 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) to take stock of the October 2020 ceasefire and explore how to keep it firmly in place. The eastern and western members of the JMC and the subcommittees recommitted to fully consolidating the truce by stepping up practical measures, most notably, expediting the withdrawal of all foreign forces, fighters and mercenaries from Libyan soil. They agreed that this demilitarization is indispensable for restoring Libya’s sovereignty and laying the groundwork for enduring stability.
Throughout the meeting, both Tetteh and the 5+5 JMC members stressed that security gains cannot stand alone. Lasting calm on the ground must go hand in hand with credible political progress. With national elections and broader reconciliation still pending, the military representatives urged an accelerated political roadmap. UNSMIL pledged ongoing technical, mediation and coordination support alongside international partners.