Libyan Talks Hosted by Morocco Kept under Wraps

Morocco's foreign minister is seen with the Libyan delegations.
Morocco's foreign minister is seen with the Libyan delegations.
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Libyan Talks Hosted by Morocco Kept under Wraps

Morocco's foreign minister is seen with the Libyan delegations.
Morocco's foreign minister is seen with the Libyan delegations.

The ongoing dialogue between Libya’s High Council of State and east-based parliament continued in Morocco on Monday with participants remaining tight-lipped over the proceedings.

Member of the High Council of State delegation, Abdulsalam al-Safrani said the discussions were being held in “positive” conditions.

Speaking from Bouznika south of Rabat where the dialogue is being held, he expressed his optimism that “understandings may be reached.”

The talks are focusing on the political and institutional division, he revealed.

The delegations addressed the issue of audit authorities “because they feel that this is a matter that concerns all Libyans. It is because of them that services deteriorated in Libya, leading to the spread of corruption,” he remarked.

The two parties had kicked off their talks on Sunday, met again on Monday and are due to meet again on Tuesday. They hailed Morocco’s “honest” intentions and keenness on providing the necessary fraternal conditions to hold their discussions in hopes of reaching a solution to the Libyan crisis.

In Egypt, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri telephoned his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita to tackle the latest developments on Libya as part of their efforts to reach a settlement in the country.

An Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman said Shoukri underscored Cairo’s firm support to these efforts that are aimed at reaching a political solution that would preserve Libya’s sovereignty and unity, restore security and stability, safeguard its resources and confront terrorism, extremism and foreign meddling.

They agreed to continue their consultations and coordination and intensify their contacts with influential political forces in Libya and with international partners, including the United Nations mission in Libya, African Union and Arab League.

The Arab League, for its part, hailed the ongoing talks to push forward inter-Libyan dialogue. In a statement ahead of the Arab foreign ministers meeting on Tuesday, it said it was closely following the Bouznika talks, calling on all Libyan parties to show good intentions towards all efforts aimed at reaching a national and complete solution to their country’s conflict.



Lebanon: Hezbollah ‘Mends’ Ties with Prime Minister

Salam met with a Hezbollah delegation. (Premiership)
Salam met with a Hezbollah delegation. (Premiership)
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Lebanon: Hezbollah ‘Mends’ Ties with Prime Minister

Salam met with a Hezbollah delegation. (Premiership)
Salam met with a Hezbollah delegation. (Premiership)

A Hezbollah delegation visited Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the Grand Serail on Wednesday with the aim of “mending” ties with the Premier after the latter’s remarks about the party’s arms.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri had met with Salam two days ago in a bid to ease the tension between Salam and Hezbollah and pave the way for the meeting between the two.

The Hezbollah delegation comprised head of the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc MP Mohamed Raad, MPs Hussein Hajj Hassan, Amin Sherri, Hasan Fadlallah and Ibrahim al-Musawi.

According to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, the meeting has opened a "new path for the relations” between Salam and Hezbollah.

Hezbollah pins high importance on the cessation of Israeli hostilities and the need for Israel to withdraw from five strategic points it still occupies in southern Lebanon, in addition to reconstruction after Israel’s war on the country, the sources stated.

Salam for his part emphasized commitment to the provisions in the ministerial policy statement, said the sources, with emphasis on continued coordination between the two.

Raad told reporters after the meeting that the party has nothing but “good intentions” towards the government, “we are keen for lasting consensus with all the country’s components, and with all the ministries”.

Raad stated that Hezbollah is keen to cooperate with the government, “Nothing can hamper the cooperation between us and the government, which we are part of”.

“We know this phase is a difficult one...We, as government and people, authorities and political forces, must know that our priorities at this stage stand at ending the Israeli occupation, returning the hostages, and stop the daily Israeli aggressions happening daily on roads and in villages in the South, and to begin reconstruction”, stated the MP.

Whether discussions with the PM touched on the party’s armament, Raad said it was not discussed in detail. “The issue of arms must be discussed in an objective manner that preserves the country’s interest, the choices of its people, and deterring the Israeli aggression threatening its security and stability”.

On reports that Hezbollah has conditioned the option of its disarmament to reconstruction, Raad denied saying: “everything will be discussed in truly time”.