عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Interviews

Libya Parliament Speaker to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Back Political Solution, but After Tripoli Liberation

Speaker of the Libyan parliament Aguila Saleh. (Reuters)
Speaker of the Libyan parliament Aguila Saleh. (Reuters)
TT
TT

Libya Parliament Speaker to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Back Political Solution, but After Tripoli Liberation

Speaker of the Libyan parliament Aguila Saleh. (Reuters)
Speaker of the Libyan parliament Aguila Saleh. (Reuters)

Speaker of the Libyan parliament Aguila Saleh slammed the agreement signed between Turkey and the Government of National Accord (GNA).

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat from Cairo after a visit to Greece, he revealed that his Greek counterpart expressed to him Athens’ rejection of the accord. Cyprus has also expressed similar angry objections, noting that Libya and Turkey do not share a marine border.

The Libyan parliament has not ratified the deal, continued Saleh.

“Turkey has taken advantage of the situation in our country and attempted to seize our state resources,” he charged. “The international community understands our position.”

“There are no legal grounds for the deal and the economic zone that extends 200 miles off the Libyan coast has been mapped out by the United Nations,” he added.

Ankara and the GNA signed last month a memorandum of understanding on military and security cooperation and another on the restriction of maritime jurisdiction, drawing criticism from the Libyan National Army, Cyprus, Greece, Egypt and Europe.

Asked about the upcoming international conference on Libya set for Berlin, Saleh said: “The meeting is aimed at unifying the European stance on the Libyan crisis, not imposing solutions on the people from abroad.”

He confirmed that he had received an invitation to visit Washington, predicting that it will likely take place in January.

“This reveals its recognition of the legitimacy of the parliament,” said Saleh, adding that he will discuss with American officials means to restore the authority of the state and build its institutions.

On the Presidential Council, which is headed by GNA chief Fayez al-Sarraj, Saleh said the body is illegal because it was never approved by the parliament.

The Council was overthrown by the militias that do not recognize it, he added.

Asked if he believes that Ankara may dispatch troops to Libya to back Sarraj, Saleh replied that it would be difficult for Turkish troops to arrive to the West, whether by sea or air. He explained that Greece has blocked Turkey’s way forward by sea and the LNA controls strategic positions in the capital, Tripoli.

On coordination with Cairo, he said that Egypt and its president Abdul Fattah al-Sisi have repeatedly expressed their support for the parliament and LNA. This support is ongoing through Sisi’s contacts with world leaders.

“We are also in constant contact because any threat to Libya will affect Egypt and all neighboring countries,” he remarked.

Moreover, Saleh said that the first step towards reaching a political solution in Libya lies in liberating Tripoli from the clutches of militias and foreign mercenaries. This will then be followed by dialogue.

He revealed that the parliament had formed a committee to hold Libyan dialogue that will draft the political solution “because the people will not accept foreign solutions.”

A new government will be formed after the dialogue, followed by the drafting of a new constitution ahead of staging of parliamentary and presidential elections, he went on to say.

“The entire Libyan people stand by us and reject the illegal policies that have been adopted by the Presidential Council,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“We back the political path and reconciliation, but only after Tripoli’s liberation,” he stressed.

Most Viewed

 
 
Interviews

UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
TT

UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.