UN, Libya discuss two-year strategic support plan

TRIPOLI, March 24 (Xinhua) -- UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) held discussions with the Libyan government in Tunis on a strategic plan to support economic and social sectors in Libya over the next two years, the mission said in a statement on Friday.

"The Government of Libya and the United Nations discussed new way forward to support Libya in a round of consultations on the United Nations Strategic Framework (UNSF) for the period 2019-2020 and Country Program Documents of UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF," it said.

"The Strategic Framework constitutes a renewed partnership between the UN and the government of Libya, and aims to work towards a more sustainable path to development, prosperity, peace, and security," the statement said.

"The new framework is a qualitative leap in terms of content coming as a result of a broad consultation process that was based on technical assessments in several economic, social and service areas, with the participation of many international and Libyan competences and expertise," said Taher Jehaimi, Libyan Minister of Planning.

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Maria Ribeiro, stressed UN's support for the Libyan Government, on order to realize its national priorities.

"The UNSF demonstrates the commitment of the UN to work towards a more integrated approach and enhanced humanitarian, development and peace nexus that will support Libya in responding to the humanitarian crisis while working towards sustainable development, " Ribeiro said.

Libya faces great political and economic difficulties and challenges in terms of meeting humanitarian needs and providing job opportunities. Enditem