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Libya’s Neighboring Countries Reject Foreign, Military Intervention | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Libyan Foreign Affairs Minister, Mohamed Taher Siala (L), Martin Kobler (R), a Special Representative and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and Algeria’s Minister for African and Maghreb affairs, Abdelkader Messahel (C) attend a news conference on the sideline of the meeting of Libya’s neighbouring countries in Algiers, Algeria May 8, 2017. REUTERS/Ramzi Boudina


Cairo- The 11th ministerial meeting for Libya’s neighboring countries kicked off Monday in Algeria under the supervision of the Arab League and the United Nations. The agenda of this meeting includes important security files such as, extremist groups’ activities, illegal immigration and organized crime.

Algeria hosted the meeting with the UN envoy to Libya and ministers from Egypt, Tunisia, Sudan, Niger and Chad, as well as representatives of the UN-backed government.Participants said that they hoped their twelfth meeting will be in Tripoli as a strong sign of their support for the country.

The concluding statement rejected any foreign and military intervention in Libya, adding that dialogue among parties would contribute to finding a solution – it stressed that fighting terrorism in Libya should be requested by the presidential council of Sarraj’s Government of National Accord (GNA) – supported by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya.

Although the statement supported Sarraj’s government, it still demanded it to form a government that represents all Libyan political forces. The statement also hailed the meeting recently held in Abu Dhabi between Sarraj and Khalifa Haftar.

UN envoy Martin Kobler said that void is in the interest of terrorists – he pressed for implementing the political agreement reached by an international sponsorship in Skhirat, Morocco two years ago.

During the meeting, Kobler called on Libyan parties to put an end to violence, stressing the importance of establishing a unified security mechanism to reinforce security on the border.

Algerian Minister for Maghreb Affairs, Arab League and African Union Abdelkader Messahel considered that Monday’s meeting was held in coincidence with prime developments – he stressed that only Libyans have the solution for the crisis, while neighboring countries, regional organizations and international community should respect their will and support them towards national reconciliation.