Egypt's FM calls on international community to honour commitment in Libya
Ahram Online , Monday 5 Oct 2020
'We have the perfect opportunity to reach a political settlement that serves all the political, security, economic and social aspects of the Libyan crisis'


Egypt urged the international community on Monday to implement the conclusions of the Berlin Conference on Libya to push the Libyan parties to respect their commitments, Egypt's foreign minister Sameh Shoukry said during a teleconference with the UN and Germany as a follow-up meeting for the Berlin Conference.

"We have the perfect opportunity to reach a political settlement that serves all the political, security, economic and social aspects of the Libyan crisis, taking into consideration the fair distribution of power and wealth, and to end foreign intervention and the threat of terrorists, mercenaries and foreign forces on Libyan territories," Shoukry said at the meeting.

"I call on the international community to implement the Berlin conclusions through tangible measures to drive the Libyan parties to honour what everyone agreed on at the Berlin Conference and the UN Security Council, including a ceasefire, arms embargo, disbanding and disarming militias and combating terrorist organisations," he added.

"We hope Egypt does not reach the point it has to protect its interests and national security in the way the president announced at Sidi Barani military base on 20 June. Egypt is continuing its efforts through communicating with the Libyans and coordinating with the UN and international community to restore security and stability in Libya," Shoukri said.

On 20 June, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi stated Egypt will intervene in Libya militarily if Sirte and Jufra, which he had earlier described as a "red line", were crossed by Government of National Accord forces and allied militias. Nevertheless, Egypt has maintained that political reconciliation was the only way to end divisions in the war-torn neighbouring country.

Last week, Egypt hosted a two-day round of talks under the auspices of the UN Support Mission in Libya in Hurghada concerning Libya's security and military affairs. The talks were attended by representatives from the Government of National Accord and the Libyan National Army.

US Ambassador to Libya Richard Nolan praised the talks, saying they weresuccessful.

Shoukry said at the meeting on Monday the Cairo Declaration, issued on 6 June based on the conclusions of the BerlinConference, was part of Egypt's diligent efforts to restore peace in Libya.

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