Sisi: Libya Can Only Restore Sovereignty by Withdrawal of Foreign Forces

The French and Egyptian presidents before the international conference on Libya in Paris, on Friday, November 12, 2021. (AP)
The French and Egyptian presidents before the international conference on Libya in Paris, on Friday, November 12, 2021. (AP)
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Sisi: Libya Can Only Restore Sovereignty by Withdrawal of Foreign Forces

The French and Egyptian presidents before the international conference on Libya in Paris, on Friday, November 12, 2021. (AP)
The French and Egyptian presidents before the international conference on Libya in Paris, on Friday, November 12, 2021. (AP)

Libya can only restore its sovereignty, unity and aspired stability by addressing the primary issue impeding this, namely the presence of foreign forces and mercenaries on its territories, said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Their presence in Libya violates Security Council Resolutions 2570 and 2571, as well as the internationally and regionally approved outcomes of the Second Berlin Conference on Libya, decisions of the Arab League, the African Union, and Libya’s neighboring countries regarding the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries without exceptions, discrimination or further procrastination, he stressed.

Sisi’s remarks were made in his speech during the Paris international conference on Libya, which was held in the French capital on Friday.

“Certain requirements for restoring long-term stability, achieving social peace, and preserving identity and national fabric cannot be ignored,” Egypt’s state-run Middle East News Agency (MENA) quoted Sisi as saying.

These requirements include “completing comprehensive national reconciliation among all Libyans and ensuring equitable distribution of resources to achieve comprehensive development across Libya.”

The situation in Libya is improving, Sisi affirmed, adding that the Libyan political process is passing through a decisive phase that aims to hold elections as scheduled on Dec. 24.

He hailed the procedures followed by the Libyan Presidential Council and the Government of National Unity to prepare for the elections.

“I also commend the parliament’s efforts and coordination with the Libyan High National Election Commission, which is working hard in this regard,” he stated.

Friday’s meeting comes almost two years after the Berlin summit on Libya, when parties pledged to protect the country’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and committed to support the UN efforts in launching a comprehensive and sustainable political process under a Libyan leadership and sovereignty, in an attempt to end the conflict and restore stability.



UN Calls for 'Immediate Deescalation' in Libyan Capital

Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP
Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP
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UN Calls for 'Immediate Deescalation' in Libyan Capital

Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP
Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP

The UN mission in Libya called for "immediate deescalation", citing reports of armed forces being mobilized in the capital and its surroundings that have raised fears of renewed violence.

In mid-May, there were clashes in Tripoli between forces loyal to the government and powerful armed groups wanting to dismantle it.

In a statement published late on Wednesday on X, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said there were "increased reports of continued military build-up in and around Tripoli", AFP reported.

It said it "strongly urges all parties to refrain from using force, particularly in densely populated areas, and to avoid any actions or political rhetoric that could trigger escalation or lead to renewed clashes".

It called for all parties to "engage in good faith" in deescalation and for the "swift implementation of security arrangements" set out during efforts to end the May violence.

Those clashes left six people dead, the United Nations said.

"Forces recently deployed in Tripoli must withdraw without delay," UNSMIL said.

Libya has been gripped by conflict since the 2011 overthrow and killing of longtime ruler Moamer Kadhafi in a NATO-backed uprising.

The country remains split between Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah's UN-recognized government based in Tripoli and a rival administration based in the east.

In a TV interview on Monday, Dbeibah called for armed groups to vacate the areas under their control.

Among the sites held by armed factions are the Mitiga airport in the east of the capital, which is controlled by the powerful Radaa Force.

"Dialogue -- not violence -- remains the only viable path toward achieving lasting peace, stability in Tripoli and across Libya", the UNSMIL statement said.