LibyaPolitics

New York: Ministerial meeting says political solution possible in Libya

A ministerial meeting took place at the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York to discuss the Libyan conflict in the presence of representatives from France, Egypt, China, Turkey, Italy, Russia, Germany, UAE, US, UK, and the Head of the African Union’s Commission and High Representative of the European Union.

The participants expressed concern over the current fragile security conditions in Libya and the threats posed by the military escalation, condemning the fact that the current fighting gave opportunity to terrorist and radical groups to reemerge.

They expressed concern as well regarding the humanitarian crisis that is affecting war-struck areas where many people have been displaced and urged for improving conditions of the immigrants and refugees.

The meeting also resulted in renewed calls for a ceasefire, saying only a political solution can end the crisis and stabilize Libya under the auspices of the UN support mission.

They called for holding an international conference on Libya to gather all the stakeholders in the country’s conflict, urging for support for the work of the UN and African Union to hold a Libyan Conference.

The meeting stressed that there can be no military solution to the Libyan crisis and an unconditional ceasefire should be put in effect.

The participants also called on all Libyan parties to remove weapons and artillery from the frontlines and to abstain from using airpower, in addition to urging the member states not to intervene in the Libyan conflict and reminding them to adhere to the UN Security Council arms embargo in Libya.

They urged as well for a Libyan political dialogue that is based on understandings from the Paris, Palermo and Abu Dhabi principles agreed upon by all parties, so that the way can be paved for elections. They also reiterated the need for unifying the Libyan state institutions and for forming a Libyan National Security Council.

“Economic reforms and Central Bank governance are important for transparency and just wealth distribution. Auditing the Central Bank of Libya and Libyan Investment Authority is also essential, while the Libyan National Oil Corporation remains the only independent institution in the country.” The participants indicated.

They reiterated that a national security force should be formed in Libya to disarm militias and armed factions then merge them into the regular army forces under a civilian authority.

They also hailed the efforts of the UN envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame in triggering the political process again, including the efforts toward holding an international conference on Libya in Berlin.

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