Panafrican News Agency

EU welcomes Moroccan role to resolve Libyan crisis

Brussels, Belgium (PANA) - The European Union (EU) on Thursday welcomed Morocco's initiative to support the UN-led mediation process to resolve the conflict in Libya, Foreign Affairs Spokesman, Peter Stano, told the press.

"The EU welcomes any initiative to support the UN-led mediation process and to advance the resolution of the Libyan conflict through a political process," Stano added.

"The EU will continue to actively support the Libyan people in their aspirations to establish a peaceful, stable and prosperous country," he assured.

The statement by the EU spokesman reiterates the position expressed by the High Representative for Foreign Policy of the European Union, Josep Borrell, last September during a meeting he had with the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad, Nasser Bourita.

Mr Borrell "welcomed and encouraged the Moroccan initiative as a timely contribution to the efforts of the United Nations to find a political solution to the crisis in Libya, to ensure the cohesion of the country, its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The two leaders agreed "to continue their dialogue and efforts in this direction in a spirit of close consultation, in order to intensify the political momentum underway between the Libyan parties.

Earlier, Borrell had welcomed on his Twitter account the Moroccan initiative bringing together members of the High Council of State and the Libyan House of Representatives in Bouznika, noting that "the commitment of both delegations to a peaceful solution to the conflict in Libya is encouraging.

The second round of inter-Libyan dialogue was organized from 2 to 6 October in Bouznika.

In the statement endorsing the meeting held under the auspices of the UN, the delegations of the High State Council and the Libyan Parliament announced comprehensive agreements on the criteria and mechanisms to occupy the positions of sovereignty provided for in Article 15 of the Libyan Political Agreement of Skhirat, it is recalled.

-0- PANA AT/IN/JSG/SOC/MTA/VAO 9Oct2020