Egypt ‘working to solve Libya problem’
Minister says terrorism can never be eradicated in country until there is a political solution
Egypt is working for a political solution to end fighting in neighbouring Libya, its foreign minister said yesterday ahead of regional talks on the conflict.
“A political solution is the only way to resolve the crisis in Libya,” said Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri.
He was speaking ahead of talks with foreign ministers from Libya’s neighbours — Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Niger — as well as United Nations envoy Martin Kobler.
Libya has been torn apart by fighting between militias, tribes and two rival governments since the fall of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
Different terrorist groups have exploited the chaos to gain a foothold in the North African country.
A UN-backed unity government based in the capital is struggling to impose its authority. It faces competition from a rival authority supported by parliament in the country’s east, which has refused to recognise the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord.
Militarily, the eastern administration is backed by the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army commanded by Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
Haftar enjoys the support of several Arab countries including Egypt, as well an emerging alliance with Russia.
The militias aligned to the Government of National Accord from the port city of Misrata, who led the fight to oust the Daesh terror group from Sirte last year, control much of the west.
In the east, Khalifa Haftar’s forces have been fighting other terrorist groups for more than two years, particularly in Benghazi.
Egypt recently hosted Haftar, parliament speaker Aguila Saleh and unity government chief Fayyaz Al Sarraj in search of “common ground” that could help solve the crisis, Foreign Minister Shoukri said yesterday.
“Despite recent victories in the fight against terrorism, in Benghazi and in Sirte, terrorism will never be fully eradicated in Libya until there is a political solution,” he added.