The Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Libya, and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Ján Kubiš has reiterated calls for urgent withdrawal of foreign mercenaries from Libya as the country continues efforts towards lasting stability.

Kubiš is in Italy, where he was scheduled to meet various leaders to discuss developments in Libya ahead of the December 24 elections.

The Special Envoy met on Wednesday with Italian Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Luigi Di Maio and Minister of Interior H.E. Luciana Lamorgese among others.

In his meeting with Di Maio, discussions focused on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 2570 (2021) and 2571 (2021), including the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement and the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) Roadmap leading up to the elections.

In his meeting with Lamorgese, Kubiš was briefed on Italy's efforts to support the Libyan authorities in strengthening border control, especially in the South. They called for the need to respect Libya's sovereignty in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolution, including the arms embargo.

Libya is recovering from a decade-long conflict that killed tens of thousands, displaced millions more and left the country in ruins.

Hopes remain high that the latest development will return lasting peace to the North African country and allow the return of a unified government.

The current transitional government is tasked with overseeing preparations for the national election, which is expected to stabilize the country and put an end to the chaos and conflict that has hammered vital oil exports on which the country's economy depends.