APS : SUNDAY 12 JANUARY 2020
ALGIERS-Algeria is committed to continuing its diplomatic efforts for a rapid return to an inclusive national dialogue in Libya, following the ceasefire observed by the crisis protagonists in this neighbouring country.
Algeria welcomed on Sunday the ceasefire in Libya, an outcome in which it actively participated, following the diplomatic ballet initiated since the inauguration speech of President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
The protagonists of the crisis in Libya, the National Unity Government and the forces of Marshal Khalifa Haftar, have agreed to observe a ceasefire, following intense efforts by Algeria, which has been stepping up diplomatic initiatives over the past few days.
Faithful to its doctrine and principles, Algeria has repeatedly rejected any foreign interference in this neighbouring country’s affairs and urged all “Libyan parties to quickly return to the negotiating table.”
In his meeting, Monday, with Head of the National Unity Government, Fayez El Serraj, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune reiterated “Algeria’s commitment to preserve the region from any foreign interference,” insisting on a solution to the crisis in Libya.
A few hours after the entry into force of the ceasefire in Libya, Algeria welcomed this important step, calling on all Libyan parties to respect it and to rapidly return to inclusive national dialogue.
Algeria also reaffirms that it “will continue its efforts to reach peaceful political solution guaranteeing the unity and sovereignty of the Libyan people in the context of peace and stability, far from any foreign interference, which has only aggravated the situation and torpedoed efforts.”
Anxious to remain at “equidistance” from the two parties in conflict in Libya, Algeria continues to reject all foreign interference in this brotherly country.
Algeria additionally calls on the international community, in particular the Security Council, to “assume its responsibilities” and “impose a ceasefire.”
The appeal made by Algeria was followed Wednesday by Turkey and Russia, whose two leaders, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin, similarly called for a ceasefire.
The diplomatic ballet centered on the settlement of the Libyan crisis continued last Thursday in Algeria with the arrival of heads of Egyptian and Italian diplomacy, Sameh Choukri and Luigi Di Maio.
In parallel to Algeria’s efforts, the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU) decided a few days ago to hold a summit meeting in early February to examine the situation in Libya and the Sahel, plagued by instability for years, announced the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Smail Chergui.
The the Peace and Security Council meeting will be held on the eve of the AU summit scheduled for 8 and 9 February in Addis Ababa, said Chergui.
Last Monday, Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso called for Africa not to be marginalised in the resolution of the Libyan crisis, describing any settlement that does not take account of the continent’s role as “ineffective” and “counter-productive.”
President of the Repblic Tebboune, who met on Saturday in Algiers with Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Operations, Jean-Claude Gakosso, received a message from the Congolese President in his capacity as chairman of the AU High Level Committee on Libya.
This message included an invitation addressed to the President of the Republic to attend the meeting that the Committee intends to hold on 25 January.
The European Union, for its part, has not ceased to call for an easing of the situation and a political solution in Libya.
