On Thursday, Egypt and Saudi Arabia affirmed their support for an intra-Libyan solution under the auspices of the United Nations. They also voiced their rejection of “foreign meddling in Libya’s internal affairs.”
This came during a meeting between Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shokry and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal Bin Farhan in Riyadh, ahead of the fifth meeting of the joint Follow-up and Political Consultation Committee.
In a joint statement, the two FM’s affirmed the need to unify Libya’s institutions as an “important step” ahead of the long-delayed elections.
The two emphasised the need to “complete procedures regarding the adoption of electoral laws, and executive procedures.” They also called for the exit of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya, within a specific time frame.
According to the statement, Shoukry and Bin Farhan praised the efforts of the Libyan Parliament and the High Council of State (HCS) in approving a constitutional basis for the elections.
They also affirmed their rejection of “all forms of interference with the internal affairs of Arab countries, whether in the form of sectarian incitement or terrorism.”
In December, the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) called on the Libyan parties to “adopt a political dialogue to resolve their differences in a way that preserves Libya’s interests, and achieves its people’s aspirations for development and prosperity.”
This came in the final communique of the GCC’s 43rd session in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The Council reaffirmed the need to “stop interference in Libya’s internal affairs, and for the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libyan territory. As well as support for UN efforts to reach a political solution, hold elections, and unify state institutions.”
The GCC expressed concerns about the repeated outbreak of armed clashes in the country, which “threatens the security and safety of the Libyan people, and undermines the stability of the country.”
It affirmed its “support of the political track and relevant Security Council resolutions to preserve Libya’s security, stability, and sovereignty.” The statement called on all Libyan parties to “halt clashes in a way that guarantees the cessation of violence, end the bloodshed, and give priority to wisdom and reason.”
