Saudi FM Calls for Unity of Libyan Territories

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speaks at the fourth session of the second legislative term of the Arab Parliament in Cairo. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speaks at the fourth session of the second legislative term of the Arab Parliament in Cairo. (SPA)
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Saudi FM Calls for Unity of Libyan Territories

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speaks at the fourth session of the second legislative term of the Arab Parliament in Cairo. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speaks at the fourth session of the second legislative term of the Arab Parliament in Cairo. (SPA)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud has called for preserving the unity and integrity of the Libyan territories and regional sovereignty.

In his speech before the Arab Parliament in Cairo on Wednesday, he noted that the Arab region is undergoing changes and challenges that impact the security, economic and political aspects.

The Kingdom continues to call on our Libyan brothers to show restraint and put the higher interest of the country above everything by preserving the unity and integrity of the Libyan territories and regional sovereignty in addition to establishing a real national dialogue leading to a comprehensive peace among all parties, Prince Faisal added.

The minister outlined the political, economic and security challenges facing many Arab countries, and called on Arab states to take action in order to consolidate stability and development.

He affirmed that Saudi Arabia’s policy is based on the principles of peaceful coexistence and good neighborliness, respect for the sovereignty and independence of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and solving disputes by peaceful means within international law.

Meanwhile, Libyan parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh stressed the importance of providing Arab support to the Libyans and activating the Treaty of Joint Defence and Economic Cooperation of the League of Arab States since it is the only solution.

Saleh asked the Arab Parliament to withdraw its recognition of Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA) presidential council due to its violation of the constitutional declaration and the political agreement of Skhirat.

President of the Arab Parliament Dr. Mishaal bin Fahm al-Salami has warned of the danger of aggressive plans by countries to revive their colonial ambitions via forming militias and proxies inside Arab societies and dispatching forces that violate the sovereignty of Arab states.

Salami said that rapid developments in the Arab world had reached dangerous levels, in light of conflicts and external interference in some Arab countries, and the threat this posed to security.

In the concluding statement, he welcomed the announcement of the recent ceasefire, calling on all parties to abide by it to help reach a comprehensive political solution to the crisis.

He also stressed the parliament’s rejection of the decision issued by the Turkish Parliament regarding sending military forces to Libya, in violation of UN Security Council resolutions prohibiting the supply of weapons to Libya.



18 Migrants Die in Shipwreck off Eastern Libya, 50 Missing

Individuals rescued by the Libyan Coast Guard after a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of Tripoli, on April 25, 2023, killing 11. (Getty Images)
Individuals rescued by the Libyan Coast Guard after a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of Tripoli, on April 25, 2023, killing 11. (Getty Images)
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18 Migrants Die in Shipwreck off Eastern Libya, 50 Missing

Individuals rescued by the Libyan Coast Guard after a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of Tripoli, on April 25, 2023, killing 11. (Getty Images)
Individuals rescued by the Libyan Coast Guard after a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of Tripoli, on April 25, 2023, killing 11. (Getty Images)

At least 18 migrants died in a shipwreck off the city of Tobruk in eastern Libya over the weekend, and 50 are still missing, the International Organization for Migration said on Tuesday, citing reports.

Ten survivors have been accounted for so far, the IOM said.

Tobruk is a coastal city near the border with Egypt.

A diplomatic source from the Egyptian consulate in Benghazi in eastern Libya told Reuters by phone that the migrants are from Egypt.

The diplomat said 10 bodies were identified and transferred back home, while the survivors were being held in an anti-illegal migration facility.

A Libyan Coast Guard official said the bodies of migrants were found in Alaghila Beach, some 25 kilometers east of Tobruk.

Since the toppling of Moammar Gaddafi in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011, Libya has become a transit country for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty across the desert and over the Mediterranean to Europe.

"This latest tragedy is a stark reminder of the deadly risks people are forced to take in search of safety and opportunity. Libya remains a major transit point for migrants and refugees, many of whom face exploitation, abuse, and life-threatening journeys," the IOM said.

Meanwhile, rescue units, involving Navy, coast guard, civil protection and border units, rescued 11 Algerians and a Tunisia off the province of Bizerte, north Tunisia, attempting an illegal sea crossing to Italy from Algeria’s El-Kala coast after their boat broke down at sea, a security source told TAP news agency.

The source said bad weather prevented the Algerians, from the state of El Tarf, from advancing towards the Italian coast and therefore, were stranded in water for four days.

All rescued migrants were transferred to a hospital in Bizerte where they received treatment.