Government of National Accord (GNA), led by Prime Minister Fayez Mustafa al-Sarraj
16th June, 2019
I would like at the outset to ask God to bestow his mercy upon the souls of our martyrs who lost their lives because of the blatant aggression on Tripoli and it’s suburbs, and pray for a speedy recovery for the wounded and the injured. We also pray to God to grant us strength to secure the return of the displaced to their homes as soon as possible.
Since the beginning of it’s work and despite all the challenges and difficult circumstances, the Government of National Accord (GNA) has always firmly believed that there could be no solution in Libya except through dialogue between Libyans. Dialogue, is in fact, the only means to overcome the crisis. Therefore, we exerted continuous efforts in this direction, held meetings with the various segments and strata of society, and encouraged meetings between Libyans.
We are advocates of peace and accord. However, when the aggression took place, we did not hesitate to confront it with force, in defense of our people and our capital, as in defense of the civil state aspired to by all Libyans, the principles of which were established by the seventeenth of February revolution. We firmly believe that our forces can vanquish the aggression and compel the aggressors to return to where they came from. This aggression aims to erode the democratic process and reverse it. It also aspires to impose domination and totalitarian government, embodied in autocratic and family rule. We, therefore, took all necessary measures to mobilize our national army and brave soldiers, and achieved victory, with the help of God. We proved to the whole world that the operation entitled “Volcano of Anger” can dispel all the illusions that the aggressor had. Repeatedly, we have stresses that there is no military solution to the conflict in Libya. Despite the clarity of this fact to all, the aggressor insisted to continue the war, misleading those siding with him that they were engaged in glorious “Jihad”, and great “conquest”.
All parties attest to the face that we have achieved positive results, both locally and internationally, in various fields. The security arrangements made in Tripoli and other cities contributed considerably to the spread of security, and the absorption of armed group into the police, military and civil institutions of the state. We have, furthermore, defeated ISIS in Sirt and other areas, thanks to the sacrifices made by our heroes, the strategic cooperation with friendly countries, and the international alliance against terrorism. This cooperation continues until the present time. We shall spare no effort to eliminate this scourge despite all challenges. As for the economic domain, the recovery process has stated through reform programs which depend on integration and harmony of monetary, fiscal and trade policies, as well as rationalization of expenditure, support of the National Oil Cooperation (NOC), and raising production to optimum levels.
We all know that we were close to holding the Comprehensive National Conference, but the aggressor, in a stark defiance to all, made a failed attempt to impose a new reality, and undermine the will of Libyans However, thanks to our brave soldiers in the army and the supporting forces, the aggressor and his militias were taught lessons in heroism and fighting. The myth that the aggressor had a professional army and his boasting that entering Tripoli was a “picnic” which would last two days, were proven false. Today, the aggressor has been conquered and humiliated with defeat.
In this context, I would like to say to our people in our beloved East that your history has always shown your rejection of oppression and tyranny, and your refusal to be instruments of division between Libyans. This is, in fact, precisely what this adventurer is seeking, but you are innocent from that. The mongers of discord endeavor to portray what we are witnessing these days as a confrontation between East and West, or a war against terrorism and extremism. This is pure nonsense. The time has come for the silent majority to speak up: Enough killing of our youths, enough mourning for the dead. The war will undoubtedly end, and those who provoked it will reap nothing but repentance. However, I do salute those who went out in defiance of this blatant aggression and raised the voice of truth against it, despite all threats.
Out of my sense of national responsibility and despite the blatant aggression on us, which we will use all our resources to defeat, I would like to present our political initiative to circumvent this crisis. I call this upon the Libyan people to rally it’s support in order to complete our national struggle and our march towards the building of the democratic state.
The initiative is summarized in the following points:
First: Convening a Libyan forum, in coordination with the UNSMIL, which will represent all the National Forces and components of the Libyan people, from all regions, who have political and social influence, and who advocate a peaceful and democratic solution, and who call for the rights of citizenship and the building of a civil state: The state of Law and Institutions.
Second: In the said forum, agreement should be reached on a road map for the upcoming period and the establishment of the proper constitutional basis for holding presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously before the end of 2019. A competent legal committee will be nominated by the forum to formulate the specific laws for the entitlements agreed upon.
Third: The forum shall approve the laws related to the constitutional process and to the electoral process, submitted by the legal committee, which will specify the dates for the elections and other commitments, to be forwarded thereafter to the High National Electoral Commission.
Fourth: The Forum will call upon Security Council and the International Community to support this agreement. It’s output will be binding to all. The United Nations will undertake the preparation and the organization for the electoral process. The Forum will call upon the African Union and the European Union to provide the necessary support for the success of all the entitlements.
Fifth: Committees will be established, under the supervision of the United Nations, composed from the current executive and security bodies in all regions, to secure the availability of all the necessary capabilities and resources for the entitlements related to the elections, including the necessary arrangements for their successful implementation.
Sixth: Agreement should be reached, through the Forum, upon the necessary mechanism for the activation of decentralized management, optimum, use of financial resources, just and comprehensive development for all regions of Libya, with securing transparency and good governance.
Seventh: The Forum should lead to the formation of a High Commission for National Reconciliation which will monitor and supervise upon the National Reconciliation process. The Commission will also be responsible for the enactment of the Transitional Justice Law, the General Amnesty Law and reparation law, except for those who committed war crimes, or crimes against humanity.
Ladies and Gentlemen
During this remaining period, we will endeavor to raise the level of competence and performance of the Government so that it can cope with the nature of the ensuing national entitlements, especially in the services, economic and security sectors. We will also complete our review of the revenues and expenditure of the Central Bank in Tripoli and AlBaida, agreed upon with UNSMIL. We will also continue making security arrangements and work on project aiming at the establishment of a military and security institution based on professional criteria and foundations. The task of the said establishment is to protect the country and safeguard it’s sovereignty. Our brave soldiers and revolutionaries will be integrated into this establishment from all over Libya.
In this respect, we call upon the International Community to lend it’s support to this initiative. We call upon it also to show more resolve and determination with the aggressor. An international investigation should be opened into the crimes of war and crimes against humanity committed during the attack on the capital and other Libyan cities.
In conclusion
I wish to convey a salute of great respect and gratitude to our armed forces, composed of army personnel, supporting forces and brave revolutionaries in all battle lines. Indeed, they wrote great epics of heroism. I vow that the blood shed by our martyrs will not be in vain. The battle continues. Although, I am a man of peace, I will never allow the aspirations and hopes of Libyans to be stolen. I will continue to lead this battle against tyranny and domination. no one can deter us from continuing our struggle to defeat the aggressor, turn him back, and put an end to his dictatorial ambitions.
The oppressor shall reap the harvest of his oppression
Government of National Accord (GNA), led by Prime Minister Fayez Mustafa al-Sarraj
