Abdullah Bathili, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), expressed his happiness at the determination of Bani Walid’s leaders to pursue the path of reconciliation and peace in Libya.
Batili visited Bani Walid University and the lecture hall under construction during his visit to the city after meeting with members of municipalities, tribal elders, and representatives of women and youth, according to a statement published by UNSMIL on its Facebook page.
In a speech published by the UN mission on Friday evening, Bathili described his meeting with local leaders in Bani Walid as “very fruitful,” noting that it included “the Zuwara local community and the Bani Walid municipal council.”
Batili said that during the meeting he listened to “very interesting concerns expressed by the residents of Bani Walid, which is one of the grieving cities in Libya that has suffered greatly from the long conflict.”
Batili expressed his hope that “the time has come to listen to these concerns in order for peace, prosperity, and stability to return to Libya.”
Batili concluded his statement by saying, “I am very happy that the leaders of this city, including academic, social, youth, and women leaders, have resolved to pursue the path of peace and reconciliation in Libya with the rest of the cities in the east, west, and south.”
