Arab League (AL) Secretary General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit has expressed concern over the political and military escalation in Libya.
He reiterated the AL’s firm stance, which rejects resorting to the military option, calling on parties to stick to political dialogue as the only way to resolve the Libyan crisis.
Aboul Gheit denounced the ongoing military operations across Libya, especially in the vicinity of the capital, Tripoli, and the country’s western areas, a source in the AL’s general secretariat said in a statement.
He renewed his call on the country’s warring parties, the Government of National Accord and the Libyan National Army, to spare blood and abide by a humanitarian truce, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
“The Libyan leaders should realize that the only way to end the current struggle is through a UN-sponsored political solution that is supported and approved by the international community,” the statement read.
“The solution shall be based on reaching a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire, dismantling the armed militias that threaten Libya’s stability and security and unifying counter-terror national efforts.”
According to the source, Aboul Gheit stressed the importance of reaching consensus that would allow holding legislative and presidential elections that Libyan people are looking forward to.
He further slammed the increasing and exposed foreign interventions in the Libyan crisis, noting the AL’s clear stance in this regard.
He also said the AL rejects all forms of foreign military interventions that fuel the conflict and represent a flagrant violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions.
Aboul Gheit also welcomed the international efforts that contribute to tightening control over the arms embargo imposed on the country, in implementation of Security Council resolutions and in support of the outcomes of the summit held in Berlin on Libya.
For his part, Egyptian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Hafez stressed his country’s adherence to the political solution in Libya despite the differences between the two rival parties on means of its implementation.
He said Egypt seeks to achieve stability in Libya while preserving its unity and territorial integrity.
