Libyan Presidential Council Head Mohamed al-Mnifi arrived in Riyadh on Sunday evening to participate in the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit.
The summit will address urgent issues in the region, particularly the escalating conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
Upon his arrival at King Khalid International Airport, al-Menfi was received by Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh; Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Secretary of the Riyadh Region; Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Shahri, Chargé d’Affaires at the Saudi Embassy in Libya and Fateh al-Bashir Bashina, Chargé d’Affaires at the Libyan Embassy in Saudi Arabia, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The summit will see Arab and Islamic leaders gather to discuss efforts to halt the ongoing violence in Gaza and Israel’s aggressive actions in Lebanon.
Key topics will include civilian protection, support for the Palestinian and Lebanese people, and uniting positions to pressure the international community into taking meaningful action to end the hostilities.
Leaders will also explore sustainable solutions aimed at establishing stability and peace across the region.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.
