On Wednesday, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) stressed the need for foreign forces and mercenaries to leave Libya, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
This came during a meeting between the Secretary-General of the GCC, Jassim Muhammad Albudaiwi with the Chargé d’Affaires of the Libyan Embassy in Saudi Arabia, Fateh Bashina in Riyadh.
Albudaiwi affirmed the keenness of the council to “establish security and stability in Libya,” and called for the removal of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libyan territory.
Albudaiwi said that the GCC “supports dialogue between all Libyan parties. We support the role of the United Nations and the efforts of its Envoy, Abdoulaye Bathily, to reach a political solution, hold elections, and unify state institutions to achieve the aspirations of the Libyan people.”
Last month, the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Libya, Mohammed Ali Al Shamsi affirmed the UAE’s keenness to secure stability in Libya. As well as its support for the efforts of Bathily to hold elections as soon as possible.
This came during his meeting with Libyan Foreign Minister, Najla Al-Mangoush. The two officials discussed bilateral relations, and ways to enhance and develop them.
Notably, Al Shamsi also met with Bathily in Tunis, on the sidelines of the 5 + 5 Joint Military Committee (JMC) meetings. They exchanged views on the latest UN initiative presented by Bathily.
In February, the UAE Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Security Council, Mohamed Abushahab said that he supports Bathily’s proposal to establish a High-level steering panel for Libya.
During his speech at the Security Council’s Libya session, he said: “We hope that this proposal will achieve the goals and consensus sought by the Libyans. For these steps to succeed and translate into action on the ground, the international community must show collective support, free from geopolitical tension. It also requires full cooperation from the Libyan people.”
Abushahab stressed the need to consult and coordinate with the Libyans on Bathily’s proposal.