Algeria called on Tunisia and Egypt to hold an urgent meeting to discuss the Libyan developments and find possible peaceful solutions for the crisis.
Algeria’s Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum contacted on Friday his Tunisian and Egyptian counterparts as well as the U.N. special envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame, to arrange the meeting as soon as possible following the military escalation in Tripoli.
The Algerian minister urged the rapid unification of efforts and the use of diplomatic influence enjoyed by the neighboring countries in Libya to stop the fighting and resume political talks as the only way that will ensure the unity of the Libyan people and maintain its institutions.
Boukadoum had also a phone conversation with his Libyan counterpart Mohamed Tahar Siyala, during which Algeria’s foreign policy chief reiterated “Algeria’s full solidarity with the Libyan brother people.”
In a Friday statement, Algerian foreign ministry said its approach stems from “its permanent solidarity with all the Libyan people and its readiness to do everything possible to promote a rapid return to peace under the auspices of the United Nations.”
On 4 April, the Libyan National Army (LNA) announced the launch of an offensive against Tripoli. So, all military units loyal to the Government of National Accord geared up to defend the capital. The warring factions are currently involved in battles along the outskirts of Tripoli.
The United Nations has been forced to postpone a carefully planned and potentially watershed national conference on Libya’s political future after the assault on Tripoli.
The two-day conference in the town of Ghadames was due to be attended by 120 delegates on 14-15 April. The decision to shelve the summit is a blow to Libya’s democratic forces, who had hoped it might open a path to presidential and parliamentary elections by the end of this year.
