Libyans reaping fruits of military panel understandings

Mustafa Kamel

The meetings of the 5+5 Military Committee on Libya, which is widely known as the Panel of Ten, has brought in a large number of gains for the Libyans.

Understandings between the members of the committee have contributed to reopening the Coastal Road which connects the western parts of Libya with their eastern part. The reopening of the road is easing the movement of Libyans between the different parts of their country.

Air flights between eastern and western Libya were resumed last month, following a year of suspension, against the background of increasing fighting between the Libyan National Army (LNA) and the militias backing the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA).

Unification

The military committee in the northwestern city of Misrata, an affiliate of the GNA, removed sand and dust barriers on the city’s roads, which is seen as one of the gains of agreements between the members of the Panel of Ten.

The barriers were especially removed from an area known for months as a red line between the LNA and the militias of the GNA.

All barriers are yet to be removed from the city and on main roads between Sirte and Tripoli and Misrata and eastern Libyan cities.

Terrorists angry

Some of the militias of the GNA have refused to abide by the understandings reached by the members of the panel.

The militias are also calling for being represented in political and military talks between Libya’s rivals. They also want some of their members to be selected for what are known as sovereign positions.

One of the militias even refused to reopen one of the roads it is controlling. It said in a statement that it would not approve deals with LNA Commander, Gen. Khalifa Haftar.