United Nations envoy to Libya Jan Kubis told the Security Council on Friday that progress on issues such as the withdrawal of foreign mercenaries and the reopening of the road connecting the east of the country to the west s ‘were “blocked”. Kubis addressed the Council via video. He warned that the delays could undermine a ceasefire agreement between warring parties in the country.

“Progress on key issues such as the reopening of the coastal road between Sirte and Misrata and the start of the withdrawal of mercenaries, fighters and foreign foreign forces has stalled,” he said.

“Further delays in reopening road works against efforts to build trust between the two sides and could undermine efforts to advance the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, to advance the transition political, ”he said.

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield also criticized the lack of political progress.

“It is time for the Libyan leadership to clarify the constitutional basis of the election (scheduled for December 24), to pass the required legislation and to ensure that the elections are not delayed,” she said. said, calling for progress before July 1.

Kubis also said that the continued presence of foreign fighters and armed groups “is a significant threat not only to the security of Libya, but to the region as a whole”.

He said it was “essential” to ensure “an orderly departure” and to disarm them.

Thomas-Greenfield agreed, saying that “the external actors involved in the conflict must cease their military interference and start withdrawing immediately from Libya”.

“There is no room for interpretation here. Everything means everything,” she continued.

According to the UN, more than 20,000 mercenaries and foreign soldiers are still in Libya. They include Turkish, Russian, Sudanese and Chadian mercenaries.

Unlike Russian mercenaries who backed the authorities in the east of the country, Turkey says its troops sent to Tripoli were sent under a bilateral deal with the government, implying that they are not affected by a request for the departure of foreign troops.

The fear that armed groups would leave Libya to deploy in the region was again raised by several members of the Security Council, who recalled the recent destabilization in Chad which led to the death of its president Idriss Deby.

(With contributions from agencies)