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‘Libya Quartet’ Calls for Comprehensive Political Solution | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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UN envoy Martin Kobler and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini pledge their support to Libya’s unity government during talks at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, on March 18, 2017 (AFP Photo/KHALED DESOUKI)


Brussels, Cairo – The International Quartet on Libya has called on the country’s different factions to engage in constructive and comprehensive negotiations.

The international committee also denounced the latest violent attacks that shook the African state.

The Libya Quartet, which is formed of representatives from the European Union, the United Nations, the African Union and the League of Arab States, held its second meeting on Tuesday in Brussels to evaluate developments in Libya since their last meeting in Cairo in March and further coordinate efforts to advance the political process.

During a joint news conference held at the outset of the meeting, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini said: “We committed again to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya and its institutions under the Libyan Political Agreement.”

“We underscored the urgent need for a Libyan-led peaceful resolution of the political crisis and reiterated our rejection of the threat or use of armed forces by any Libyan party,” she added.

Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit said that negotiations were underway to find a solution to the Libyan crisis.

He also reiterated the Arab League’s commitment to holding a constructive dialogue and to supporting the government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj.

A joint statement issued by the participants reiterated the “commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya and its institutions under the Libyan Political Agreement signed in Skhirat, while renewing its call to cease contacts with parallel institutions outside the Libyan Political Agreement.”

It also expressed its concern about recent security incidents and threats of violence in Tripoli.

“The Quartet welcomed all efforts and encouraging progress resulting from recent meetings between Libyan stakeholders, in particular between Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in Abu Dhabi on 2nd-3rd May 2017 and between the President of the House of Representatives, Agila Saleh and the President of the High State Council, Abdulrahman Sewehli in Rome on 21st April 2017,” it added.

Meanwhile, US Marine Corps Gen. and Africom Commander Thomas D. Waldhauser and US Ambassador to Libya Peter Bodde met with Sarraj in Tripoli on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Waldhauser and Bodde updated Sarraj on potential future defense institution building efforts and security force assistance.

“The US Africa Command continues to collaborate with Government of National Accord (GNA) security officials on ways we can support those forces charged with security Tripoli,” Waldhauser said.

“We support partner operations, including the European Union Boarder Assistance mission in Libya and Operation Sophia which trains for border security,” he added.