Drah: We could close the coastal road again if the other side doesn’t commit

The spokesperson for the Sirte-Jufra Operations Room, General Drah warned that the coastal road could be reclosed once again if the other party does not commit to the agreement provisions

The reopening of the coastal road was welcomed by the United Nations as a step in the right direction for Libya’s long-standing peace. [Photo: Archive]

General Abdelhadi Drah, the spokesperson for the Sirte-Jufra Operations Room, said that the room had opened the coastal route for more than 35 days, but that the other side had not opened the coastal road and had not followed any of the 5 + 5 Commission’s recommendations.

Brigadier General Drah said in comments published by the Libyan news agency )LANA) that the officers of the Joint Military Commission 5 + 5 from the opposing side had not cooperated with what had been negotiated and approved.

He stated that the Sirte-Jufra operations room had submitted a letter to the 5 + 5 Commission 35 days prior to the route’s inauguration, while the other party had refused to open the road without providing reasons and stating who was obstructing its opening.

General Drah said that the operation had not seen any action by the Committee on the evacuation of mercenaries and the clearance of mine remains inside Sirte and certain locations where fighting had occurred.

The operation would have to re-close the route so that the second party could open it and agree to execute all of the terms of the 5 + 5 Agreement, which included demining, mercenary withdrawal, and prisoner extradition.

Previously, the Sirte Protection and Security Operations Chamber of General Ibrahim Beit Al-Mal, 5 + 5 Committee informed General Ibrahim Beit Al-Mal of their intention to shut the coastal route if it was not opened between the region of Boirat Al-Hasoun and the city of Sirte by the end of July.

Meanwhile, the 5 + 5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) sessions in Sirte, which were attended by a team from the UN Support Mission in Libya, began on Thursday.

According to well-informed sources, talks on a number of issues contained in the Commission’s work program will continue at the sessions, including the latest preparations for the opening of the western and eastern coastline roads.

The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express.
How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@libyanexpress.com. Please include ‘Op-Ed’ in the subject line.
You might also like

Submit a Correction

For: Drah: We could close the coastal road again if the other side doesn’t commit

Your suggestion have been successfully submitted

There was an error while trying to send your request. Please try again.

Libyan Express will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing.