Stakeout: Libya Talks 5 + 5 - Ghassan Salamé
/
2:30
/
MP4
/
192.1 MB

Edited News , Press Conferences | UNOG

Stakeout: Libya Talks 5 + 5 - Ghassan Salamé

On day four of UN-led talks to transform an uncertain truce in Libya into a permanent ceasefire, veteran negotiator Ghassan Salamé on Thursday welcomed the “progress” that had been made so far, before urging an end to any “provocative” military action that might dash the chance of a successful outcome.

“Progress has been made on many important issues and we have before us a significant number of points of convergence,” he said. “Is this complete? Certainly not, and that is why we are still working on refining our basic draft and on bridging the gap on a few points of divergence between that still exist between the two delegations.”

The talks in the Swiss city form part of an international push for peace in the oil-rich North African country.

In early January, Russian and Turkish Presidents Vladmir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan secured a truce agreement between the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) and the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) - led by commander Khalifa Haftar, who laid siege to Tripoli last April.

Although the truce had been accepted by both sides, Mr. Salamé noted earlier in the week that an international arms embargo on Libya has been broken “incessantly” since 2011, with evidence of increasing foreign interference in the form of weapons and fighters.

“During these talks, the negotiators would be certainly helped by more calm on the fronts and by the absence of any act - provocative act - on the military side,” the UN official continued, in reference to ongoing clashes.

While remaining positive about the Geneva meeting, which precedes separate discussions on the economic aspects of the ceasefire – due to begin on 9 February in Cairo – and political talks on 26 February – also at the UN in Geneva – Mr Salamé spoke frankly about the number of difficult issues facing both delegations.

“What do you do with the heavy weaponry, how to allow the internally displaced persons to go back to their homes, how to recivilianise the areas that have been basically a theatre of war, how do you deal with the armed groups, how do you deal with the monitoring of the ceasefire, who should monitor the ceasefire.”

And while the talks have not taken place face to face, this is the least of Mr. Salamé concerns, he insisted.

“Je ne suis pas venu à Genève pour avoir une photo avec deux personnes qui se serrent la main, ce n’est pas mon objectif. Mon objectif est d’arriver à un accord. Et s’il aurait été plus facile d’arriver à cet accord en ayant la mission, en faisant la navette entre les deux, je n’ai aucun problème avec cela. L’importance, c’est l’accord.”

(I didn’t come to Geneva for a photo opportunity of two people shaking hands, that’s not my objective. My goal is to reach an agreement. And if it turns out that it is easier to do this by shuttling between the two (delegations), I have no problem with that. The important thing is the agreement.”)

  1. Wide shot: exterior, flag alley at the UN Palais des Nations, Geneva.
  2. Medium shot, TV camera in front of shot, with speaker behind - Ghassan Salamé, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya.
  3. SOUNDBITE (English)— Ghassan Salamé, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya: “Progress has been made on many important issues and we have before us a significant number of points of convergence.”
  4. Close up, journalist.
  5. SOUNDBITE (English)— Ghassan Salamé, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya: “Is this complete? Certainly not, and that is why we are still working on refining our basic draft and on bridging the gap on a few points of divergence between that still exist between the two delegations.”
  6. Close up, journalist taking notes.
  7. SOUNDBITE (English)— Ghassan Salamé, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya: “What do you do with the heavy weaponry, what, how to allow the internally displaced persons to go back to their homes; how to recivilianise the areas that have been basically a theatre of war; how do you deal with the armed groups, how do you deal with the monitoring of the ceasefire, who should monitor the ceasefire.”
  8. Medium shot, TV crews, journalists.
  9. SOUNDBITE (English)— Ghassan Salamé, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya: “During these talks, the negotiators would be certainly helped by more calm on the fronts and by the absence of any act - provocative act - on the military side.”
  10. Medium shot, photographers, TV camera tripods.
  11. SOUNDBITE (English)— Ghassan Salamé, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya: « Je ne suis pas venu à Genève pour avoir une photo avec deux personnes qui se serrent la main, ce n’est pas mon objectif. Mon objectif est d’arriver à un accord. Et s’il aurait été plus facile d’arriver à cet accord en ayant la mission, en faisant la navette entre les deux, je n’ai aucun problème avec cela. L’importance, c’est l’accord. »
  12. Close up, journalists typing on laptop.
  13. Medium shot, TV camera monitor showing Mr Salamé.
  14. Close up, reporter taking notes, TV camera tripod to rear of shot.

Similar Stories

Ukraine attacks - UNHCR 25 April 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | UNHCR

Ukraine attacks - UNHCR 25 April 2025 ENG FRA

Ongoing Russian attacks in Ukraine force frontline areas to empty: UNHCR

With Ukrainian cities still reeling from this week’s deadly Russian missile and drone attacks, communities on the front line continue to be targeted too, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Friday. “We also see attacks on frontline regions increasing and it's, as always, civilians that are bearing the highest cost of the war,” said Karolina Lindholm Billing, UNHCR Representative in Ukraine. 

 

Press Conference: Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Secretariat - 25 April 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | BRS

Press Conference: Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Secretariat - 25 April 2025 ENG FRA

2025 BRS Conventions Conference of the Parties (COPs)

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 25 April 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | WFP , UNHCR , WHO

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 25 April 2025 ENG FRA

Rolando Gómez, Chief of the Press and External Relations Section at the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva, chaired the hybrid briefing, which was attended by spokespersons and representatives from the World Food Programme, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the World Health Organization.

Ethiopia update - WFP

1

1

1

Edited News | WFP

Ethiopia update - WFP ENG FRA

Funding and supply shortfalls for the UN World Food Programme (WFP)'s work in Ethiopia will halt lifesaving treatment for 650,000 malnourished women and children at the end of the month. “We are at the breaking point,” it said on Tuesday. 

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 22 April 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | WFP

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 22 April 2025 ENG FRA

Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, attended by the representative of the World Food Programme (WFP).

Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al Kheetan on continued Israeli military operations in Lebanon

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al Kheetan on continued Israeli military operations in Lebanon ENG FRA

Israeli military operations in Lebanon continue to kill and injure civilians, and destroy civilian infrastructure, raising concerns regarding the protection of civilians, the UN Human Rights Office warned today.

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 15 April 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | IOM , OHCHR , UNDP , UNHCR , UNICEF , UNWOMEN

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 15 April 2025 ENG FRA

Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the representatives and spokespersons of the United Nations Development Programme, UN Women, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the International Organization for Migration, and the United Nations Refugee Agency.

Sudan crisis update IOM - UN Women - UNDP

1

1

1

Edited News | IOM , UNWOMEN , UNDP

Sudan crisis update IOM - UN Women - UNDP ENG FRA

Sudan: Aid teams report massive displacement after latest Darfur atrocity; women’s bodies ‘turned into battlegrounds’

In Sudan’s North Darfur, tens of thousands of people have fled a displacement camp following the massacre of civilians and aid workers as the country enters the third year of a conflict marked by horrific levels of sexual violence, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.

Tariff uncertainty and potential   ITC

1

1

1

Edited News | ITC

Tariff uncertainty and potential ITC ENG FRA

Global trade could shrink by three per cent as a result of the United States’ new tariff measures which in the longer term could reshape and boost as-yet untapped regional commercial links, a top UN economist confirmed on Friday.

UN Human Rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on Sudan

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on Sudan ENG FRA

Warring parties in Sudan are overseeing a wholesale assault on human rights amid global inaction, the UN Human Rights Office said on Friday, as the conflict is about to enter its third year.

UN Human Rights Briefing  by spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on OPT

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Briefing by spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on OPT ENG FRA

The UN Human Rights Office on Friday said Israel’s increasing issuance of so-called “evacuation orders” for Palestinians in Gaza have resulted in their forcible transfer.

Two years of war in Sudan – OCHA, OHCHR, UNHCR, UN Women, WFP, WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , OHCHR , UNHCR , UNWOMEN , WFP , WHO

Two years of war in Sudan – OCHA, OHCHR, UNHCR, UN Women, WFP, WHO ENG FRA

Two years of war in Sudan have created epic suffering, aid agencies say

Two years since Sudan’s brutal conflict began, UN agencies warned that famine is spreading and civilians of all ages continue to suffer shocking abuse, including rape and gang rape.