Algeria’s Foreign Minister, Ahmed Attaf stated that Algeria “remains committed to its policy and position regarding the crisis threatening Libya’s security, stability, and unity.” He strongly rejected any foreign interventions in Libya.
The minister made these remarks while receiving Abdoulaye Bathily, the UN Envoy and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), during his visit to Algeria.
Attaf emphasised that the “international and regional context, marked by conflicts and crises, should not make us forget that the Libyan people still urgently need the support of the international community.”
“Algeria asserts today that it will remain faithful to its policy and position regarding the crisis that jeopardizes the security, stability, and unity of its neighbouring country. The country commits to continuing its full support and active engagement in the efforts led by both the United Nations and the African Union,” he added.
Attaf commended the efforts under the auspices of these two organizations, highlighting the “alignment between the UN and African paths in achieving the ultimate goal of ending the crisis, reconciling factions, and restoring unity among Libya’s people.”
He emphasized that the UN’s election process, seeking legal and political conditions for its success as a permanent and sustainable solution to the Libyan crisis, also requires the African Union’s contribution to the national reconciliation process.
Attaf revealed that the consultations provided a “valuable opportunity to assess progress in these two paths, directly supported by Algeria.”
Algeria welcomed the “strenuous efforts to adopt the necessary legal texts to frame the electoral process in Libya, and overcome the disagreements hindering this path.”
Notably, Algeria welcomed the meetings organized by the African Union, with the participation of all Libyan political factions from the east, west, and south, as preparations for a significant conference on national reconciliation.
The minister stressed the importance of giving equal attention to both these paths. Additionally, he emphasised the need to “continue efforts to maintain the ceasefire and consolidate its foundations, as well as intensify endeavours to unify Libya’s state institutions.”
Attaf highlighted that the essence of the crisis and the heart of the conflict lies in foreign interventions in Libya’s internal affairs. “Algeria categorically rejects these interventions and calls for ending all forms, methods, and manifestations of foreign interference in the Libyan scene, whether political or military,” he said.
He clarified that the Libyan crisis “would not have arisen without foreign military intervention. The prolonged Libyan crisis results from continuous external interventions that have fueled divisions among the Libyan brothers and complicated efforts towards political agreements necessary for conflict resolution and reconciliation.”