Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has discussed with Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) chief Fayez al-Sarraj coordination to overcome the Libyan crisis, according to a government source.
Sarraj arrived in Algiers on Saturday on a one-day visit, during which he also met with Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad and Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum.
The Algerian presidency issued a statement indicating that the visit comes within the framework of Algeria’s intense efforts for a resumption of dialogue between Libyan rivals away from foreign military intervention.
The Algerian government source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the meetings covered an Algerian plan to end the conflict in Libya. He described it as a months-long initiative aiming to bring Libyan warring parties together to discuss a political solution to the country’s war.
The initiative was welcomed by both Egypt and Tunisia, according to the source.
Last week, Libyan Speaker Aqila Saleh visited Algeria.
Tebboune indicated that he will help reunite Libyan parties in line with the Berlin Conference.
Algeria has also expressed concerns about the heavy flow of arms to Libya since the Berlin conference was held earlier this year.
Algiers considers itself the country most affected by the repercussions of Libya’s war, especially with border-related issues such as smuggling of arms and the infiltration of terrorists.
Earlier, Tebboune declared that all Libyan parties agreed to Algeria’s mediation, stressing that his country has no expansionist or economic ambitions in Libya.
“Its only concern is ending the fighting because, as Algerians, we have endured a similar plight,” he said in reference to the country’s fight against terrorism in the mid-1990s.
Tebboune said that neither Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar, nor Sarraj and Libyan tribes oppose Algiers’ mediation.
Tebboune continued: “The military option will not resolve the Libyan conflict. Algeria stands at an equal distance from all parties and is ready to help end the crisis.”
He said Algeria was prepared to help Libyans manage their internal affairs as they build institutions and organize elections.
“All nations, including major powers, support Algeria’s position,” he stressed, while remaining vague on how his country plans on ending the fighting.
