On Sunday, the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdelhamid Dbaiba, received the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, at the Cabinet’s headquarters in Tripoli.
In a statement, the GNU’s Media Office said that Michel, during the talks expressed the European Union’s (EU) readiness to provide all forms of support to the new Libyan interim authority, with a view to enhancing stability in Libya and paving the way for elections scheduled for December 24th, 2021.
He also affirmed that all EU countries speak with a common voice in supporting the Libyan authorities on all issues, especially with regards to issues on development, immigration, security and the election.
The EU Official also congratulated the Libyan Prime Minister on winning the Parliament’s vote of confidence, wishing him all success in his mission to lead the North African nation to elections at the end of this year.
On his part, the Libyan Prime Minister praised the role played by the EU in supporting the security and stability of Libya. The EU’s role started with the Berlin Conference and continued with many other talks and forums in other European countries. The aim of the EU’s role is to find a permanent solution to the Libyan conflict.
He also stressed the importance of enhancing the Libyan-European partnership and cooperation on many issues of common concern, adding that “Libya needs Europe’s support in the energy field.
The meeting was attended by Libya’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Najla Mangoush, the Director of the European Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ambassador of the EU to Libya.
Last month, the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and Italy were in Tripoli to meet their Libyan counterpart in a show of support for the war-torn country’s newly formed government set to lead Libya to the December 24th elections.
The new transitional executive government emerged from a complex United Nations-sponsored process launched in November and its members were confirmed by Libya’s Parliament on March 10th.
Next week, the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, is expected to visit Tripoli to reopen the country’s Embassy in the capital after over six years.
The North African nation is a major route for migrants trying to reach Europe across the Mediterranean and traffickers have thrived in the lawlessness that followed Gaddafi’s overthrow.