Hammond welcomes visit of British ambassador to Tripoli

UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond welcomed the visit to Tripoli of the British ambassador to Libya Peter Millett on Thursday, the Foreign Office said on its website.

This was the first time a British ambassador to Libya has been in Tripoli since the British embassy was evacuated in 2014.

The visit was coordinated with visits by the Spanish and French ambassadors and was an opportunity for discussions with the presidency council of the new Government of National Accord (GNA).

Libya’s Prime Minister Fayez al Serraj and presidency council arrived in Tripoli at the end of March.

The visit follows a meeting on 12 April in Tunis co-chaired by the UK and United Nations Support Mission in Libya with representatives of the GNA. At the meeting the international community discussed how it could support the priorities set out by the new Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) to bring peace, security, stability and prosperity to the Libyan people.

“Ambassador Millett’s visit to Tripoli is an important step that underlines the UK’s strong support for Libya and for the new Government of National Accord,” Hammond said.

“The arrival of a number of European diplomats demonstrates the progress that has been made by Prime Minister Serraj towards establishing a new government that represents the whole of Libya. It is crucial they continue to push forward with their priorities on security, rebuilding the economy and restoring public services for the benefit of all Libyans. Britain stands ready to support and assist Libya and we look forward to eventually re-opening our Embassy when conditions allow.”

“I am delighted to have visited Tripoli today and to have met members of the Presidency Council and Libyan political leadership on their home ground. Although there are challenges ahead, this visit demonstrates the UK’s commitment to working with the Libyan Government of National Accord to bring peace and stability to Libya,”

Source: MENA