An extraordinary meeting was held with ambassadors and Special Envoys from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy, to jointly address mutual concerns over the continuing crisis in Libya. The four countries represent key international stakeholders in the UN sponsored peace process.
All sides raised concerns over the ongoing and deepening threat of terrorism in Libya, particularly of the emergence of ISIL in Libya and its affiliate groups including Ansar Al Sharia in Libya, and discussed ways to tackle it effectively.
The Libyan participants conveyed to the Envoys that the overwhelming majority of Libyans are looking for a peaceful resolution to the turmoil in the country, but that they are also looking for guarantees from their government, the UN, and the international community that this resolution does not reward criminality, threats and terrorist action. All sides agreed that the only way forward to end this crisis is to come together in sincere dialogue to resolve their differences.
The four states represented at the meeting all reaffirmed their recognition and support for the Libyan House of Representatives and the Al-Thinni government. They also clarified that they do not recognize any other entity as the legitimate government in Libya.
The meeting between the envoys and the Prime Minister took place one day after a meeting between UN Envoy Bernadino Leon and former head of the defunct GNC, which has been seeking legitimacy unsuccessfully from the international community.