Libya Parliament Seeks to Work with UN to Form ‘National Unity’ Govt.

Libyan MPs visit the Egyptian parliament. (Libya parliament)
Libyan MPs visit the Egyptian parliament. (Libya parliament)
TT

Libya Parliament Seeks to Work with UN to Form ‘National Unity’ Govt.

Libyan MPs visit the Egyptian parliament. (Libya parliament)
Libyan MPs visit the Egyptian parliament. (Libya parliament)

Libyan lawmakers concluded on Saturday a series of meetings in Cairo aimed at forming a liaison committee to work with the United Nations mission in Libya to form a national unity government.

The MPs welcomed all international efforts aimed at resolving the Libyan crisis, reiterating, however, their rejection of attempts to undermine the authority of the parliament, given that it represents the people.

They urged the parliament speaker to kick off discussions with local and external forces to clarify the legislature’s stance, discuss various proposals and initiatives and work on garnering the greatest national consensus over a solution.

This should all culminate in elections “as soon as possible,” they said, while hoping that the parallel parliaments in Libya would eventually be united.

Some 90 lawmakers, including 35 from the western region, visited on Friday the Egyptian parliament where they met with first undersecretary Al-Sayyed al-Sharif and deputy Speaker of the Arab parliament Saadeddine al-Jamal.

In a concluding statement, the lawmakers underscored the unity of Libyan territory, expressing their support for the operation waged by the Libyan National Army to liberate Tripoli from criminal gangs and militias.



UK PM Tells Netanyahu Peace Process ‘Should Lead’ to Palestinian State

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference on the Southport attacks in the Downing Street Briefing Room in London, Britain, 21 January 2025. (EPA)
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference on the Southport attacks in the Downing Street Briefing Room in London, Britain, 21 January 2025. (EPA)
TT

UK PM Tells Netanyahu Peace Process ‘Should Lead’ to Palestinian State

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference on the Southport attacks in the Downing Street Briefing Room in London, Britain, 21 January 2025. (EPA)
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference on the Southport attacks in the Downing Street Briefing Room in London, Britain, 21 January 2025. (EPA)

UK premier Keir Starmer told Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday that any peace process in the Middle East should pave the way for a Palestinian state, Downing Street said.

The two leaders held a call that focused on the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, a UK government spokesperson said.

During the conversation, "both agreed that we must work towards a permanent and peaceful solution that guarantees Israel's security and stability", the British readout of the call added.

"The prime minister added that the UK stands ready to do everything it can to support a political process, which should also lead to a viable and sovereign Palestinian state."

Starmer also "reiterated that it was vital to ensure humanitarian aid can now flow uninterrupted into Gaza, to support the Palestinians who desperately need it", the statement added.

Starmer "offered his personal thanks for the work done by the Israeli government to secure the release of the hostages, including British hostage Emily Damari", the statement added.

"To see the pictures of Emily finally back in her family's arms was a wonderful moment but a reminder of the human cost of the conflict," Starmer added, according to the statement.

A truce agreement between Israel and Hamas to end 15 months of war in Gaza came into effect on Sunday.

The first part of the three-phase deal should last six weeks and see 33 hostages returned from Gaza in exchange for around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.