A number of Arab countries — including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain —have welcomed Egypt’s initiative to solve the Libyan crisis.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi announced on Saturday an initiative for a political settlement in Libya, following talks in Cairo with Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar and Libyan Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh.
The UAE
The United Arab Emirates issued a statement announcing its support for Egypt’s efforts to revive the political track and declare a ceasefire in Libya.
“The UAE calls on the Government of National Accord (GNA) and the Libyan National Army (LNA) to respond quickly to the Egyptian initiative to stop the bloodshed and build the state institutions,” the UAE Foreign Ministry statement said.
The statement explained that the political track is the only acceptable option to reach stability and prosperity, calling on its Libyan brothers to opt for the common national interest.
Jordan
Jordan also welcomed the “Cairo Declaration” and described it as “a significant breakthrough.”
The Egyptian initiative calls for a ceasefire starting from next Monday, stresses the need to implement the outcomes of the Berlin Conference and demands the revival of the political track to end the crisis.
Bahrain
Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry hailed Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al Sisi’s efforts aimed at achieving Libyans’ aspirations, in addition to security and stability.
“All Libyan parties have to respond to the Cairo initiative for the sake of the integrity and unity of the state’s territory,” the Bahraini Foreign Ministry statement said.
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomed the Egyptian initiative, stressing its full support for international efforts to stop the fighting in Libya upon resolutions and decisions adopted by the Berlin and Geneva conferences.
“Saudi urges the GNA and LNA to engage in comprehensive political negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations,” the Kingdom’s statement read.
On Saturday, Sisi received Libyan Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh and LNA Commander Khalifa Haftar.
Sisi and the Libyan leaders agreed on the complete rejection of military escalation that would further exacerbate the crisis.
Saleh and Haftar welcomed Cairo’s initiative, lauding the pivotal and important role led by Sisi in stabilising peace in Libya and preserving the capabilities of the people.
They also hailed Egypt’s support for institutions in combating terrorism and extremist groups, in an effort to create conditions for a political solution to the crisis that meets the aspirations of the people towards a safe and dignified life.
At the end of the meeting, Saleh and Haftar launched the Cairo Declaration, including a Libyan-Libyan initiative as the basis for resolving the crisis within the framework of the United Nations’ resolutions and the successive international efforts that led to the outcomes of the Berlin Conference.