UN boss: Foreign fighters still in Libya in breach of ceasefire

Antonio Guterres calls for an end to violations of arms embargo and withdrawal of all foreign fighters.

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has said foreign fighters and mercenaries remain in Libya in breach of a ceasefire agreement last year, calling for their withdrawal and an end to violations of the UN arms embargo. In a report to the UN Security Council, Guterres said on Friday the smooth transfer of power in March to a new interim Government of National Unity (GNU) “brings renewed hope for the reunification of the country and its institutions and for a lasting peace”. However, he said progress must continue on the political, economic and security tracks to enable elections to go ahead late this year. Libya has been torn by chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Moammar Gaddafi in 2011 and eventually split the oil-rich country between a UN-recognised government in the capital, Tripoli, and rival authorities based in the country’s east. Each side was backed by armed groups and foreign governments.