Algeria’s President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune renewed his rejection of the use of force in Libya. He stressed the need to “give priority to the language of dialogue and reconciliation between the Libyan people.”
This came during his speech at the meeting of the African Union High-level Committee on Libya, in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. Tebboune welcomed the recent steps to activate the Libyan dialogue track, and launch initiatives among Libyans to bring views closer, build mutual trust, and broaden consensus.
Tebboune condemned the continued foreign interference in Libya’s internal affairs, and the involvement of external parties in violating the arms embargo. He reiterated his call to external parties to “respect Libya’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the independence of its decision.”
He said that “a permanent and final solution to the Libyan crisis will not come without a path that is dedicated to the Libyans. This path should preserve their right to exploit the wealth of their country in a way that guarantees the achievement of development.”
The Algerian President stressed that “Algeria will spare no effort to enable the Libyans to embody the priorities of this important stage, in order to preserve the security of neighbouring countries affected by the situation in Libya, more than others.”
Tebboune emphasised the importance of addressing the challenges related to the unification of military and financial institutions in Libya. He also confirmed Algeria’s readiness to contribute to the success of the national reconciliation path, to strengthen national unity.
He praised the return of the 5 + 5 Joint Military Committee (JMC) to follow up on the withdrawal of mercenaries and foreign fighters, the ceasefire, and the exchange of detainees.
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, each backed by rogue militias and foreign governments.
The current stalemate grew out of the failure to hold elections in December, and the refusal of Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, who is leading the transitional government, to step down. In response, the country’s eastern-based Parliament appointed a rival Prime Minister, Fathi Bashagha, who has for months sought to install his government in Tripoli.
