(ANSAmed) - ROME, AUGUST 21 - Libyan Prime Minister Fayez
al-Sarraj announced a ceasefire Friday on the Facebook page of
the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA). "Based on
political and national responsibility, in light of the current
situation in the country and the region, and in light of the
coronavirus emergency, the head of the Presidential Council of
the Government of National Accord, Fayez Al Sarraj, orders all
military forces to observe an immediate ceasefire and to stop
all combat operations in all Libyan territories," he said.
"Arriving at an effective ceasefire requires that the zones of
Sirte and Jufra be demilitarised and that security forces on
both sides agree on preparations related to public order in both
cities," he said. "Taking the initiative to announce the
ceasefire, the president of the presidential council affirms
that 'the definitive objective is to regain full sovereignty on
Libyan soil and the withdrawal of foreign forces and
mercenaries," he said. He said in the same way that "rights
acquired by the Libyan people cannot be abandoned".
"Therefore, we must resume oil production and exportation,
provided that the revenue is deposited in a special National Oil
Company (NOC) account at the Libyan Foreign Bank. In the same
context, the president of the presidential council announces
that he is adopting all measures needed to support efficient and
ideal management of oil resources and repeats that NOC is the
only one that has the right to supervise the securing of the oil
fields and oil terminals across Libya," he said. Al-Sarraj
then announced the next elections in the country, repeating "his
request for presidential and parliamentary elections next March
based on a sufficient constitutional foundation upon which the
two sides agree". The eastern-based parliament in Tobruk
joined in the ceasefire request. "We are calling on all
parties to observe the immediate ceasefire and stop all military
operations across Libya," said Tobruk Parliament spokesperson
Aquila Saleh in a statement, cited by Al Jazeera. "The
ceasefire cuts the road to any foreign interference and
concludes with the withdrawal of mercenaries from the country
and the dismantling of the militias," Saleh said. "We are
trying to turn the page on conflict and we aspire to a future of
peace and building a state through an electoral process based on
the constitution," he said. A statement released by the
Italian Foreign Ministry said Italy "greatly welcomes" the
ceasefire in Libya and "will continue to carry out its active
role as facilitator for a political solution to the crisis".
"Italy calls on all the interested parties to give a quick and
effective follow-up to the path outlined in statements by the
Presidential Council and the House of Representatives" and
"hopes for concrete application to all branches of the Libyan
oil industry throughout the country".(ANSAmed). (ANSA).
