The foreign ministers of Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia met in Cairo this week to discuss the situation in Libya within the framework of the Trilateral Mechanism of Libya’s Neighbouring Countries amid concerns over the evolving situation in Tripoli.
The focus of the meeting was the latest developments in Libya and an exchange of views and joint coordination on how to support the neighbouring country.
“We hope that through coordination and consultation with our brothers in Algeria and Tunisia we can activate Libyan ownership of a political solution because there is no military solution,” Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said during his meeting with his Algerian and Tunisian counterparts.
Describing the situation in Libya as “fragile” with instability reigning in the capital Tripoli and in the west of the country, Abdelatty said that the “Libyan situation is a priority for the national security of Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia as neighbouring countries to Libya.”
In a joint communiqué issued at the end of their meeting, the three ministers called on all the Libyan parties to exercise restraint and immediately cease the escalation of tensions with a view to protecting the well-being of the Libyan people.
They agreed on the importance of maintaining security and stability throughout all Libyan territories, protecting the state’s resources and national institutions, and respecting the unity and integrity of Libya.
The three top diplomats said that unifying Libya’s fragmented institutions and holding both presidential and parliamentary elections were necessary steps towards ending the country’s political impasse.
They affirmed their commitment to continue working with regional and international partners to provide assistance and all possible support to Libya and to work towards ensuring the security and safety of its people.
They concluded by emphasising the need for full Libyan ownership of the political process in the country, stating that the solution must be Libyan-Libyan and emerge from the will and consensus of all the Libyan people without exception and with UN support and assistance.
They rejected all forms of external interference in Libya, which is likely to fuel internal tensions and prolong the crisis, thereby threatening security and stability in Libya as well as in neighbouring countries.
They pinpointed the need to continue supporting the efforts of the 5+5 Joint Military Committee to consolidate the existing ceasefire in Libya, ensure the withdrawal of all foreign forces, fighters, and mercenaries within a specified time, and reunify the military and security institutions in the country, in harmony with ongoing efforts within UN, African, Arab, and Mediterranean frameworks.
The 5+5 Joint Military Commission is a forum comprised of five senior military officers from the Government of National Accord and five from its rival the Libyan National Army. It was formed to implement ceasefire agreements and other military arrangements, particularly between the rival factions in Libya.
Finally, the three ministers agreed to continue to promote coordination among their countries and with the UN to assess the situation in Libya and to exchange views on the future of the political scene in the country and how to cooperate to achieve security, stability, and development in the region.
The communiqué concluded by stressing the need to hold periodic meetings of the Trilateral Mechanism of Libya’s Neighbouring Countries, with the next ministerial meeting planned to be held in Algeria, followed by another in Tunisia, before the end of this year.
The Trilateral Mechanism was launched in 2017 with the shared aim of supporting security and stability in Libya. However, it became inactive in 2019. This week’s meeting marked the renewal of the mechanism.
Egypt has always taken a firm stand on resolving the crisis in Libya through a UN-led political solution, and Abdelatty has repeatedly underlined Cairo’s commitment to assisting the Libyan parties in reaching a consensus, supporting the Libyan-led political process, and ensuring respect for state institutions.
He reiterated this stand this week in a telephone call with Masad Boulos, senior adviser to the US president for Arab, Middle Eastern, and African affairs. He stressed the importance of the withdrawal of all foreign forces, fighters, and mercenaries from Libya as the means to restoring security and stability in the country, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.
Since the overthrow of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has been troubled by conflict and political division. It is currently split between two rival governments: the UN-recognised Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli, led by Abdel-Hamid Dbeibah and supported by allied armed factions, and a rival administration based in Benghazi and backed by forces loyal to retired General Khalifa Haftar.
Clashes broke out in Tripoli last month following the killing of Field Commander Abdul-Ghani Al-Kikli, a prominent figure who led the Stability Support Apparatus and served as head of the Presidential Council’s security unit.
Two days later, a ceasefire was announced, with the fighting easing but still occurring.
On 24 May, protests started in Tripoli and Zawiya calling for an end to the GNU headed by Dbeibah, the departure of all political bodies, and the dissolution of all armed militias.
There were calls for the UN mission in Libya to intervene and provide assistance.
The protesters threatened to continue their protests and shut down all government institutions within 24 hours. However, this does not seem to have happened.
On 30 May, protesters set fire to car tyres and closed the main roads in Tripoli, calling for the ousting of the government led by Dbeibah.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 5 June, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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