Participants of Libyan Political Dialogue agree to move dialogue to Libya

- Participants in the new track of UN--facilitated Libyan political dialogue agreed on the principle of convening future dialogue sessions in Libya.

Representatives of municipal and local councils from a number of towns and cities from across Libya gathered in Geneva on Wednesday to discuss how to support confidence--building measures agreed to in the earlier political dialogue.

The new track of Libyan political dialogue came after two rounds of dialogue respectively held in mid--January and earlier in the week.

The mayors and representatives of councils were briefed about the dialogue process by Special Representative of the Secretary--General for Libya, Bernardino Leon, and a number of Libyans who participated in the second round of political dialogue meeting that concluded on Tuesday.

According to a statement by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), there was agreement on the principle of convening future dialogue sessions in Libya, provided that logistical and security conditions are available.

The participants deferred it to the UNSMIL to start consultations with the parties on the venue of the political dialogue. UNSMIL called on all stakeholders to join the talks in an open and constructive spirit.

Participants also expressed concern about the prevailing security conditions in different areas, condemning in particular the recent attack in Tripoli that took place as they were meeting at the United Nations Office at Geneva.

At the same time, they emphasized that the talks present a moment of hope and reconciliation for the Libyans, and an opportunity to resolve the country's political and security crisis that should not be missed. Endit