Tunisian Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar announced his country’s readiness to support Libya in finding a political solution to end the Libya crisis on Tuesday. The statement was made during a meeting with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, who was on a visit to discuss the Libyan crisis.
According to the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ammar said that Tunisia is committed to providing all necessary support to the Libyan people and the UN’s efforts to restore peace, security, and development in the neighbouring country.
Ammar reiterated Tunisia’s firm stance on Libya’s situation, based on supporting a peaceful Libyan-led and owned solution free of foreign interference.
In response, Bathily praised Tunisia for its constructive stance and its central role in supporting the process of settling the Libyan issue. Bathily reviewed the UN’s efforts made in collaboration with various Libyan factions, neighbouring countries, and international partners to promote dialogue between the Libyan factions, which would lead to the organization of elections as soon as possible, in accordance with the will of the Libyan people.
Growing international interest to find a solution to the Libya crisis
The meeting between Ammar and Bathily reflects the growing interest in finding a solution to the Libyan crisis, which has been ongoing since the 2011 overthrow of former leader Muammar Gaddafi. The crisis has resulted in a protracted civil war, the rise of armed militias, and a surge in terrorism and human trafficking. Libya and Tunisia have been assisting one another amid Tunisia’s deteriorating social and economic situation. In January, almost 100 Libyan trucks brought sugar, oil, flour and rice into Tunisia amid shortages of basic goods.
Last month, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani emphasized the need for cooperation among all major parties to find a solution for the ongoing Libyan crisis. He also praised Egypt for playing an essential role in facilitating such cooperation. Tajani made the remarks during a joint press conference held with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry, in Cairo.
The press conference addressed various issues, including the Palestinian cause, irregular migration, the energy sector, developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, food security, and the repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.
In early January, Egypt played a crucial role in organizing a meeting between Libyan leaders Speaker of the House of Representatives Aguila Saleh and Head of Higher Council of State Khaled Al-Mishri in Cairo. The meeting was welcomed by Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an “important step” towards holding presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously as soon as possible.
At the time, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry pledged its support for the Libyan people and institutions in their efforts to achieve security, stability, and unity in Libya. It also reiterated its commitment to helping Libya remove all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libyan lands.
Tunisia’s and other countries commitment to supporting Libya in achieving a peaceful resolution to the crisis is an important step towards regional stability and the restoration of democracy in Libya. The resolution of the crisis is vital to restoring peace and stability in the region. The international efforts to find a solution to the crisis is a significant step in the right direction.
Image Credit: World Atlas
