Libya's Speaker, Greek FM Discuss Activating Cairo Initiative

Speaker of the eastern-based Libyan Parliament Aguila Saleh with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (Greek Foreign Ministry)
Speaker of the eastern-based Libyan Parliament Aguila Saleh with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (Greek Foreign Ministry)
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Libya's Speaker, Greek FM Discuss Activating Cairo Initiative

Speaker of the eastern-based Libyan Parliament Aguila Saleh with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (Greek Foreign Ministry)
Speaker of the eastern-based Libyan Parliament Aguila Saleh with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (Greek Foreign Ministry)

The speaker of the eastern-based Libyan parliament, Aguila Saleh, received Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and discussed the repercussions of the Libyan crisis and bilateral relations.

Saleh's adviser Hamid al-Safi indicated that the meeting addressed the relations between the two countries, the situation in Libya and the region, and ways to end the Libyan crisis.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdul-Hadi al-Hawaij, as well as Dendias’ accompanying delegation.

The two sides also discussed Aguila’s recent initiative to form a new presidential council, consisting of a president and two deputies from the three historical regions of Libya.

Safi explained that Greece is pushing towards the implementation of the “Cairo initiative,” stressing Libya's right to defend itself against any invasion targeting its territory and sovereignty.

The Libyan official pointed out that Greece stresses that the international law and international maritime law are the only references to resolve disputes with Turkey and delineate maritime areas in the Mediterranean.

He criticized the unconstitutional agreement concluded between head of the Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez al-Sarraj and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the demarcation of the maritime border between the two countries.

The Greek FM welcomed the Cairo initiative, adding that his country supports any political solution to end the crisis in Libya.

Dendias renewed his country's condemnation of the Turkish invasion, stressing that the presence of foreign forces in Libya violates international laws and will hinder any possible solution.

He expressed his firm belief that there is an opportunity for a solution to the crisis after all foreign forces left Libyan territories, especially Turkey.

The Greek FM stated that the agreement between Sarraj and Erdogan is “void” because it was not approved by the parliament, as the only recognized legislative authority in Libya.

The meeting also discussed the depth of historical relations between the two countries and concluded with an agreement to establish a Greek consulate in Libya, according to Safi.

The Greek Foreign Ministry issued a statement noting that the visit is an opportunity to agree on dealing with the Libyan crisis, based on “the Berlin Process and also the very interesting initiative from Egyptian President el-Sisi.”

“Aguila Saleh and I agreed that Libya’s future requires the withdrawal of all foreign forces. This is a necessary condition for peace and stability,” according to the statement.

The statement also stressed that Turkey has historical responsibilities for what is happening in Libya, noting that importing mercenaries from Syria and the violation of the arms embargo are elements that weigh on the Turkish stance.

The two also discussed “the possibility for a Greek Consulate to operate in Benghazi, which would facilitate trade transactions,” according to the statement that also pointed out Libya's will to replace Turkish products with other goods that come from Europe, especially Greece.

Greek diplomatic sources pointed out that the visit was part of Athens' continuous efforts to contribute to the ceasefire and find a political solution in Libya, within the framework of the United Nations Security Council and the Berlin conference.



Tetteh Urges All Libyans to Engage in Political Process

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya, Hanna Tetteh and her Deputy for Political Affairs, meet a delegation of civil society organizations from the southern region (UNSMIL)
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya, Hanna Tetteh and her Deputy for Political Affairs, meet a delegation of civil society organizations from the southern region (UNSMIL)
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Tetteh Urges All Libyans to Engage in Political Process

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya, Hanna Tetteh and her Deputy for Political Affairs, meet a delegation of civil society organizations from the southern region (UNSMIL)
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya, Hanna Tetteh and her Deputy for Political Affairs, meet a delegation of civil society organizations from the southern region (UNSMIL)

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya, Hanna Tetteh has stressed the need for all Libyans to actively participate in the political process and play a role in shaping Libya’s future.

Tetteh’s comments came shortly before her briefing to the Security Council on the situation in the North African country.

On Tuesday, the UN Special Representative and her Deputy for Political Affairs, Stephanie Koury, briefed a delegation of 28 representatives of civil society organizations from the southern region, including mayors and municipality members, on the outcomes of the Advisory Committee and the country-wide consultations led by the UN mission regarding the political process, as well as the recent meeting of the International Follow-up Committee in Berlin.

The participants told Tetteh that the ongoing institutional divisions between the east and west are negatively impacting the south.

They expressed a strong desire to see national elections through which all Libyans can choose their leaders and establish unified national institutions.

The southern delegation stressed the importance of ensuring that all cultural components have the opportunity to participate equally as citizens in the governance of the country.

Tetteh then held a meeting with the mayors of Misrata, Tarhouna, Khoms, Zliten, and Qasr al-Akhyar to discuss the options put forward by the Advisory Committee, as well as the ongoing challenges faced by municipalities across Libya.

UNSMIL stated the mayors conveyed their support for the work of the Advisory Committee and submitted a petition to Tetteh expressing their support for inclusive dialogue involving elected municipal councils and an end to the protracted transitional phases in Libya.

The mayors also stressed the need for effective administrative decentralization, and the allocation of resources to the municipalities to support adequate service delivery, and noted that the municipalities were currently underfunded.

They also voiced concerns over irresponsible public spending, which they warned poses a threat to the Libyan state, and called for the adoption of clear criteria for allocations of development funds.

They noted the importance of strengthening decentralization as a means to provide critical support for the Libyan people.

In a related development, the Chairman of the High National Elections Commission (HNEC), Emad Al-Sayeh, met Monday in Tripoli with British Ambassador to Libya Martin Longden to discuss ways the UK can support Libya’s electoral process.

Longden reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to providing technical and advisory support to the HNEC, aimed at strengthening its readiness and ensuring elections are held with integrity and transparency.

Meanwhile, Libya's interim Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah chaired an expanded meeting on Monday to follow up on the latest developments in the implementation of the “Emmar Tripoli” (Tripoli Re/Development) program, launched by the his government, with the aim of improving infrastructure and enhancing the aesthetic and urban character of the capital.

During the meeting, Dbeibah stressed the need to overcome obstacles and accelerate the pace of work according to the approved timetables, stressing the importance of daily field follow-up to achieve the set goals.