Addis Ababa, 19 January 2016- The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, welcomes the announcement made by the Libya  Presidency Council, from Tunis, on the establishment of a Government of National Accord (GNA) aimed at uniting the various Libyan factions under the UN-negotiated Libya Political Agreement.

It is to be recalled that the majority of the Libyan delegates who participated in the UN-facilitated political dialogue, as well as a wide range of representatives of Libyan civil society, municipal leaders, and heads of political parties, signed the Libya Political Agreement. The Agreement provides, among others, the formation of a GNA, a Presidency Council for the Council of Ministers, as well as for the establishment of a State Council as a supreme consultative body. It also includes detailed measures on confidence building and security arrangements.

The Chairperson hails this development as an important milestone in Libya’s political transition and calls upon all other Libyan stakeholders to endorse the proposed GNA, and its designated Ministers. She further urges all peace-loving Libyans to unite and provide their full support to the GNA in order to fight against the scourge of terrorism in their country. ‘Only a united Libya can consolidate its democratic transition and start the task of state building in the country.’ she said.

The Chairperson reiterates AU’s commitment to continue to contribute to the ongoing efforts, including through the role of the International Contact Group on Libya, which will hold its 5th meeting in Addis Ababa on 28 January 2016, on the margins of the AU Summit. The Chairperson appeals to all Libyan stakeholders to leave no stone unturned in their efforts to stabilize the political and security situation in their country.

COMMENTS