The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, said that Paris intends to strengthen cooperation with Algeria on the Libyan file. He described Algeria as “France’s main partner at the regional level.”
A statement by the French Foreign Ministry, quoted Le Drian confirming the two countries’ desire to continue coordinating their diplomatic initiatives. They aim to do this in order to enhance the political transition process in Libya, following the Paris conference, in which Minister Ramtane Lamamra participated.
The conference was held in Paris on November 12th, and was co-chaired by France, Italy, Libya, Germany and the United Nations (UN).
The final statement of the conference stressed the need for all concerned parties to accept the results of the elections, affirming its support for a comprehensive political process in Libya. It also called for forming a reconciliation commission under the auspices of the country’s Transitional Presidency Council.
The participants at the Paris Conference stressed full respect for Libya’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity and their commitment to rejecting all foreign interference in Libyan affairs.
Last month, the French Foreign Minister said that his country is on good terms with Italy on views regarding Libya.
In response to a question by West France about whether Libya is the subject of a dispute between Rome and Paris, Le Drian said, “we have greatly approached our views on Libya.” He added that the convergence of the two countries’ views on Libya was embodied by their joint presidency of the Libya Conference, which was held on November 12th in Paris.
Le Drian also stressed the need to hold the Libyan elections before the end of the year, as well as the “gradual withdrawal of foreign forces and mercenaries.”
On the other hand, the Chairman of the Algerian Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, Mohamed Hani, underlined the importance of pursuing efforts to restore security and stability in neighboring Libya.
On Monday, he said that holding the upcoming elections on their scheduled date is the only way out of the long-decade crisis in the country.
During his speech at the Rome-Mediterranean Dialogue conference hosted by the Italian Capital, the Algerian delegate stressed that they are committed to holding the elections planned for December.