Algerian Radio
Algeria, Egypt, and Tunisia called, on Thursday, for expediting simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections in Libya.
This came in a joint statement issued by the three countries following a ministerial meeting in Cairo of the Tripartite Neighboring Countries Mechanism on Libya, during which it was decided that the next meeting will be held in Algeria.
The ministers of the three countries emphasized the depth of the historical and fraternal ties binding their countries with Libya, as well as the relations of neighborliness and common destiny that unite them. They reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining coordination and consultation within the framework of the Tripartite Neighboring Countries Mechanism, in a manner that contributes to preserving Libya's unity and territorial sovereignty, and assisting the Libyan brothers in healing the rift, ending the crisis, and safeguarding their country's capabilities, thereby achieving the prosperity and sustainable development to which the Libyan people aspire.
The ministers stressed that a comprehensive political solution remains the only way to end the Libyan crisis, emphasizing the importance of pushing the political process forward under the auspices of the United Nations, leading to the end of division, the unification of Libyan state institutions, and the creation of appropriate conditions for holding simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections in response to the aspirations of the Libyan people.
The ministers emphasized the principle of Libyan ownership and leadership of the political process, stressing that the solution must be Libyan-Libyan, stemming from the will and consensus of all components of the Libyan people without exclusion, and in a manner that preserves Libya's unity and sovereignty.
The ministers also expressed their concern over the security challenges facing Libya, including incidents of violence and political assassinations. They renewed their call to all Libyan parties to exercise maximum restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritize the supreme national interest in order to preserve the security and safety of the Libyan people and safeguard the state's capabilities, emphasizing the importance of supporting efforts aimed at stabilizing the ceasefire and enhancing security stability throughout the country.
The ministers emphasized that reaching the desired political settlement requires adopting a comprehensive approach based on the interconnectedness of various political, economic, and social tracks, which would enable the achievement of security, stability, development, and prosperity for the Libyan people.
The ministers stressed their rejection of all forms of foreign interference in Libyan affairs, as it represents a primary factor in fueling tensions and prolonging the crisis. They renewed their support for the efforts of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission to stabilize the ceasefire and work toward the withdrawal of all foreign forces, foreign fighters, and mercenaries from Libyan territory within a specified timeframe, thereby creating the necessary conditions to unify the Libyan military and security institutions.
The ministers emphasized the importance of continued coordination and consultation among the three countries, alongside the United Nations and regional and international partners, including the League of Arab States and the African Union, in support of efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive and sustainable political settlement in Libya.
The ministers concluded their meeting by emphasizing the continuation of holding the Tripartite Neighboring Countries Mechanism meetings on a regular basis to enhance coordination and consultation regarding developments in Libya. They agreed to hold the next meeting in the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria at a date to be determined through diplomatic channels, expressing their appreciation to the Arab Republic of Egypt for hosting this meeting.
