Tunisia Reiterates Support for a Libyan-Led Political Settlement
On Monday, Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti reaffirmed his country's commitment to participating constructively in all initiatives aimed at resolving the political crisis in Libya.
Speaking during a ministerial consultation, Nafti stated that Tunisia supports any effort that can bring Libyans together under a single political framework, with support from the United Nations and neighboring countries.
The meeting, hosted in the Egyptian capital, brought together the foreign ministers of Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia. It marked the latest round of discussions under the Tripartite Neighboring Countries Mechanism, aimed at coordinating regional positions on the situation in Libya. With political deadlock and security tensions rising, the three countries sought to renew momentum for a peaceful process.
Nafti described Tunisia's position as firm in backing intra-Libyan dialogue without foreign interference. According to him, a homegrown agreement among Libyans remains the only sustainable path toward stability. He said such a solution must reflect the interests of the Libyan people and respond to their desire for peace, development, and state institutions that function effectively.
The final statement from the Cairo meeting called on all parties in Libya to reduce tensions and stop any further escalation. It urged competing political actors to commit to a political process under UN guidance that could lead to national reconciliation and institutional reunification. The statement also renewed calls for holding presidential and parliamentary elections at the same time.
The ministers expressed concern over the fragile state of Libya's political environment and warned that continued division would risk further violence and weaken the country's ability to recover. They also agreed that unified institutions are necessary for managing Libya's natural wealth, restoring public services, and ending the security vacuum that armed groups continue to exploit.
The ministers from Tunisia, Egypt, and Algeria called for a joint regional effort to support Libya in restoring its sovereignty, unity, and political stability. They stressed that Libya's future should be shaped by its people through a transparent, inclusive process backed by international legitimacy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Libya Review
4 hours ago
- Libya Review
Greece Reaffirms Rejection of Turkey-Libya Maritime Agreement
Greece's Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis has reiterated that the Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum is legally invalid, stating it has no basis in international law. His remarks came during a response to a parliamentary question posed by Greek MP Marios Salmas. 'The Turkish-Libyan memorandum is void and without legal foundation,' Gerapetritis declared, reaffirming Athens' longstanding rejection of the maritime boundary deal signed between Ankara and Tripoli in 2019. He announced his intention to visit Libya soon, aiming to seek a peaceful resolution to maritime border delimitation issues based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) — a framework Greece considers the only legitimate foundation for such agreements. The Greek minister confirmed that Athens has invited Libya to engage in direct dialogue over maritime boundary demarcation, signaling a diplomatic push to bypass the contested Turkish-Libyan deal. 'We have made it clear to our Libyan counterparts that Greece is committed to building good-neighborly relations,' he said, emphasizing Greece's preference for international law-based dialogue and mutual respect. The comments come amid renewed regional tension over overlapping maritime claims in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as growing diplomatic activity surrounding energy exploration zones and exclusive economic areas (EEZs). Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations. Libya's economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya's economy. The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions. The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition. Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges. Tags: George GerapetritisGreecelibyaTurkeyUNCLOS
Libya Review
10 hours ago
- Libya Review
Greek Navy Joins EU Push to Stop Migration from Libya
In a decisive move, Greece has deployed two naval frigates to patrol international waters near Libya aimed at thwarting irregular migrant crossings to islands like Crete and Gavdos. According to local media, including Kathimerini, the warships are equipped with advanced sensors and radars to detect vessels linked to smuggler networks operating in the Central Mediterranean. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the deployment following a surge in migrant departures from eastern Libya—many escaping conflict zones such as Sudan and the Middle East—as part of broader efforts to protect national borders and maintain regional stability. Once suspicious boats are spotted, the navy flags the vessels and coordinates with Libyan authorities to intercept them before they enter international search-and-rescue zones. Due to their size, Greek frigates refrain from direct interception, instead acting as deterrents while maintaining constant surveillance. This action aligns with similar EU maritime security initiatives like Frontex's Operation Themis and the naval Operation Irini enforcing the UN arms embargo on Libya. Critics caution that the emphasis on containment may clash with international legal obligations against 'pushbacks,' particularly if migrant vessels are turned back without proper screening or assistance. Experts note the move comes amidst a coordinated strategy: an EU delegation—including migration ministers from Greece, Italy, and Malta—is set to visit Libya in early July to enhance cooperation on migration management. Tags: euGreecelibyamigrants
Libya Review
12 hours ago
- Libya Review
Libyan Official Blames UNSMIL for Delaying Elections & Unity
A member of Libya's High Council of State, Saad bin Sharada, has strongly criticised the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), accusing it of obstructing a Libyan-led resolution to the country's political deadlock. In comments to Independent Arabia, Ben Sharada insisted that Libya has all the necessary tools to resolve its crisis internally. 'We have a constitutional framework and a finalized electoral law,' he said. 'But the UN mission and the foreign powers behind it refuse to support a Libyan solution.' He argued that the real obstacle to progress lies not with Libyan institutions or rival political factions, but with the international community's refusal to let Libyans chart their own course. 'UNSMIL is no longer a neutral party,' Ben Sharada claimed. 'It represents the interests of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.' Ben Sharada expressed concern that UNSMIL continues to dismiss Libyan-driven initiatives, citing the latest example of the Advisory Committee's proposals to resolve the crisis. According to him, the committee offered four different political plans, but the UN insists on pursuing only one of them, which involves creating a new political dialogue body whose members would be selected by the mission itself. He likened this to the flawed 2021 Geneva dialogue process, which led to the formation of the current interim government under Abdulhamid Dbeibah. That process, Ben Sherada recalled, was marred by allegations of bribery and political manipulation, undermining its legitimacy from the start. 'The Libyan public now understands that the main obstacle to national elections and political unification is the UN mission,' he said, warning that international interference risks prolonging instability rather than resolving it. Ben Sharada concluded by calling for all foreign actors to step back and allow Libyans to reach a consensus on their future through inclusive, sovereign dialogue free from external influence. Tags: ElectionsHigh Council of StatelibyaNational Dialogueunsmil
