UAE welcomes Egypt’s peace efforts in Libya

ABU DHABI: The UAE has announced its support for Egypt’s efforts calling for an immediate ceasefire in Libya and a return to the political process. Furthermore, the UAE commended the sincere and persistent diplomatic efforts by Egypt in this regard.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation emphasised the UAE’S support for a political solution to end the Libyan crisis in line with the outcomes of the Berlin Conference under the auspices of the UN.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation also called upon Libyan authorities, led by the Government of National Accord (GNA) and the Libyan National Army (LNA), to respond immediately to this initiative in order to avoid bloodshed, engage in institution building, and end this conflict, which threatens the sovereignty and integrity of the Libyan state.

The Ministry underscored that the political process is the only acceptable option to achieve stability and prosperity, calling upon Libyans to prioritise the national interest and respond to the initiative launched by Cairo.

Egypt’s president on Saturday announced a unilateral initiative to end the civil war in Libya, a plan that was accepted by LNA commander Khalifa Haftar.

President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi told a news conference in Cairo that his initiative includes a cease-fire starting on Monday and is meant to pave the way for elections in oil-rich Libya. He warned against continuing to look for a military solution to the country’s crisis.

“There can be no stability in Libya unless peaceful means to the crisis are found that include the unity and integrity of the national institutions,” Sisi said. “The initiative could be a new start in Libya.”

Sisi said the initiative included the formation of a presidential council in which Libya’s three regions would be represented. That council would rule the country during a 1 1/2-year transition period followed by elections.

The plan also includes the unification of all Libyan financial and oil institutions, and the disbanding of militias, so that the so-called Libyan National Army and other security agencies can “carry out their responsibilities,” Sisi said, without elaborating.

There was no immediate comment from the Un-supported government based in Tripoli.

The conference in Cairo was attended by Haftar and Aguila Saleh, speaker of the Tobruk-based House of Representatives. Several foreign diplomats, including US, Russian, French and Italian envoys attended. Hafter and Saleh are allies.

The Egyptian leader called for the withdrawal of all foreign fighters in Libya.