AU to hold conference on reconciliation in Libya in July
Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - The Chairperson of the African Union Commission announced on Saturday in Tunis that it will hold a conference on reconciliation for the various Libyan parties in Addis Ababa in the next few months.
Speaking at a press conference at the end of the meeting of the "Quartet" in charge of the Libyan issue, Moussa Faki Mahamat said that the conference could take place in July.
It should "allow, in an inclusive manner, and I insist on that, because everything depends on the Libyan society, to discuss the reconciliation that is a prerequisite for the holding of peaceful elections in Libya," he noted.
The meeting of the Quartet was attended by the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Abou Gheith, and the head of European diplomacy, Federica Mogherini. The UN Special Envoy in Libya, Ghassan Salamé, was also present.
This is the fifth Quartet meeting but the first held by senior officials of the four partner organisations.
The Addis Ababa conference will be preceded by the National Conference to be held in Libya from 14 to 16 April.
"Our hope is that it can ensure the success of the political process and achieve the goal of rebuilding the Libyan State with all its institutions and embed stability in the country," Mahamat said.
The Quartet members expressed their support for Salamé in his efforts over the past year to bring the various protagonists together and to implement the roadmap for resolve the Libyan crisis.
"We have agreed to help the Libyan people in this crucial phase of its history. It is high time for the Libyan actors to speak, discuss and decide the fate of their country," Mahamat stressed, adding that it is an opportunity for the Libyan people to end the instability and find peace once again in the country that has suffered so much.
"It is necessary for Libyans themselves to convince themselves of the need to reconcile and build their country," he argued.
Mogherini emphasised the European Union's determination to help the process in Libya.
"In recent months there has been an interest, a new energy in the Libyan society, which shows a willingness to establish a state that functions normally," she noted.
While noting that Libya is a country that does not need external assistance, she said that the EU will not hesitate to support the work of the United Nations politically, diplomatically and financially.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he is hopeful for a solution to the eight-year long conflict in Libya.
"If is there is a word that defines what I think and feel about Libya today that word is 'hope'. This is a moment of hope for Libya," said the UN Secretary-General .
"I have hope because I believe that it is possible to have now a Libyan-led political process aiming at the solution of the Libyan problems."
-0-PANA BB/BEH/BBA/MA 31March2019
