Algiers— “The time has come to put a definitive end to foreign interference in Libyan affairs, so that this proud people can heal its wounds, reunite, and restore unity among its people,” the Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf told the UN General Assembly on Monday.
He added, “The Libyan crisis is deepening and becoming more complex by the day, in light of the waning international interest and the absence of any real prospect for the desired peaceful settlement.”
He stressed that if the matter were in the hands of the Libyans alone, the disputes would have ended, and the path to ending this crisis would have been paved a long time ago.
“14 years after the outbreak of the Libyan crisis, this brotherly country remains captive to divisions fueled and exploited by foreign interference, according to schemes that have nothing to do with Libya’s well-being, nor its security and stability,” Mr. Attaf added.
Echoing the opinion of the great majority of Libyans, Attaf pointed out that if such interference seizes, “the path will be paved for a consensual settlement based on holding presidential and parliamentary elections, through which Libyans choose their representatives who believe in and are committed to the unified and inclusive Libyan national project.”
On 21 August the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya (SRSG) and the head of UNSMIL Hanna Tetteh presented a political roadmap to the UN Security Council aiming to lead to national elections.
The roadmap has since been welcomed and agreed by the Security Council, and the international community, but on the ground, there has been no real and tangible progress in this regard.
The US Special Presidential Envoy for Middle East Affairs Massad Boulos commenting on an international meeting on Libya, held in New York last week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, said the meeting’s goal was to discuss ways of cooperation to help Libyans achieve lasting peace and increased prosperity.
It also discussed ways to build a strong economic foundation for unity and security in Libya, while affirming the international community’s commitment to supporting Libya.