ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) – Countries close to Libya concluded their summit on Tuesday in Algeria, demanding that foreign fighters and troops be released from the North African military.
The two-day summit also urged Libyan parties to pursue a political process that ended the conflict last year and to hold parliamentary and presidential elections in December.
The summit, hosted by Algeria, was attended by foreign ministers of Egypt, Tunisia, Sudan, Chad and Niger. Those countries have long been concerned about the unrest in Libya. UN envoy to Libya Jan Kubis, Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit and African Union representative were also present.
“The question of the elimination of militias, terrorists and dissidents is a very important question for a successful election,” Algeria’s Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra told a news conference.
“Libya is the first to be affected by the unspecified consequences and the risk is clear that neighboring countries will also be affected if the evacuation is not carried out in a transparent, orderly manner.”
Algeria, which shares borders with Libya, is ready to take part, he said.
Libya has been embroiled in controversy since the NATO-backed coup overthrew long-serving dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011, dividing the country between a UN-backed government based in Tripoli and rival factions loyal to former leader Khalifa Hifter in the east. Each has been assisted by various armed groups as well as foreign governments.
In 2019, Hifter launched a military operation to seize the capital. His work was supported by Egypt, UAE, Russia and France, while his fighters were supported by Turkey, Qatar and Italy.
Hifter’s trip to Tripoli finally failed in June 2020. Future negotiations sponsored by the UN ended the war and set up a small government that is expected to lead the country in a general election in December.
Libya’s parliament has so far failed to pass a law election law.
Kubis, a UN envoy, urged lawmakers to finalize the requirements for the December vote “without delay.”
He also raised concerns about the continued presence of military, foreign and foreign military personnel in Libya, and reiterated calls for the UN Security Council to abolish the treaty in October, including the removal of foreign troops and troops.
The UN said in December there were at least 20,000 foreign fighters and mercenaries in Libya, including Assyria, Russia, Sudan and Chadians.
“Libya is at a crossroads where major developments and past developments must be coupled with the growing power of continued political transformation into a cohesive, stable, peaceful and stable country,” Kubis said.
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Samy Magdy in Cairo helped.