Mabrouka Baltamar, the Head of Tunisia’s Civil Society Commission, met with representatives of international organisations operating in Libya in Tunis on Monday.
This significant meeting aimed to streamline the registration process, and organize their operations in compliance with Libyan laws and regulations, ensuring no conflict with the country’s national and communal security.
The meeting served as a preliminary and consultative step, and set the stage for a subsequent gathering in Benghazi, where local representatives involved in collaborative work with international organisations’ offices in Libya will participate. This upcoming meeting is anticipated to further define and solidify the operational framework for these international organisations within Libya.
The coordination of these efforts is crucial in maintaining Libya’s sovereignty, while enabling effective and secure collaboration with various international organisations. The discussions in Tunis, and the planned meeting in Benghazi underline Libya’s commitment to a structured and regulated approach, towards international cooperation in civil society matters.
On Sunday, Libyan and Tunisian officials convened to discuss effective strategies for settling Libya’s debts to Tunisia.
The focal point of these discussions was the devising of a practical mechanism to resolve outstanding payments, which have accumulated over several sectors.
The dialogue was led by Mohamed Salem Al-Shahoubi, Libya’s Minister of Transport, and Ahlam Al-Baji, the Chief of Staff at the Tunisian Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy.
This meeting stemmed from Al-Shahoubi’s role as the head of a committee, formed under decision number (562) of 2022, and is dedicated to addressing debts owed by Libya to both the Tunisian public and private sectors.
Key discussion points included Libyan debts related to electricity consumption, civil aviation services, and medical treatment in Tunisian hospitals. This issue of outstanding debts is significant for Tunisia, given the impact on its economy and various sectors.
The meeting also saw the participation of notable diplomats, including the Tunisian Ambassador to Libya, Al-Asaad Al-Ajili, the Libyan Ambassador to Tunisia, Mustafa Ben Gadara, and Al-Afif Mabrouki, the General Director of the Tunisian Refining Industries Company.
This dialogue is part of a broader effort to strengthen bilateral relations, and address issues stemming from Libya’s period of political turmoil and economic challenges post-2011. The resolution of these debts is not just an economic matter but also a step towards reinforcing diplomatic ties and regional stability.