AU Chair says solution to Libyan crisis will be found by Libyans
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Solution of the Libyan crisis will be found by the Libyans themselves without foreign interference, African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat has said.
He was speaking on the second day of his visit to the country to inform Libyans about the holding of a national reconciliation conference in July in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the auspices of the AU.
During his meeting in Benghazi on Tuesday with the Prime Minister of the interim government, Abdallah Al-Theni, Mr. Faki underlined that "the African Union process towards the situation in Libya is part of the efforts to achieve a comprehensive national reconciliation in partnership with all Libyan factions."
At the start of the visit on Monday, the Chairperson met in Tripoli with the President of the Presidential Council, Fayez Al-Sarraj, about the holding of the national reconciliation conference in Addis Ababa, in accordance with the roadmap adopted at the end of the 32nd AU Summit in February, including elections in October 2019.
While in Benghazi, the Chairperson said that during his future visits he will meet all Libyan parties with a view to holding a national reconciliation conference in Libya.
The organisation of the reconciliation conference by the AU is considered as late by Libyans, after the UN envoy in Libya, Ghassan Salamé, announced the holding of an inclusive national conference from 14 to 16 April, with the aim of achieving a consensus among Libyans on general elections and the adoption of measures to end the political transition.
The head of the interim government, Abdallah Al-Theni, has commended the role of the African Union in resolving the Libyan crisis and called for "neutrality and dialogue involving all Libyan parties".
The interim government said in a statement that Mr. Al-Theni discussed with Moussa Faki and his delegation, progress in Libya's political process, the preparations for the reconciliation conference in Addis Ababa and the latest developments on the national and international scene as well as the role of the AU in a comprehensive political settlement that involves all Libyan parties in collaboration with the United Nations.
The AU delegation led by Mr Faki included f the Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ismaël Chargui and the AU Commissioner for Social Affairs, Amira Fadhil.
-0- PANA BY/JSG/BBA/AR 3Apr2019
