Egypt calls for a ceasefire in Libya within 48 hours
By : Marwa Mahmoud
Talks on a ceasefire between conflicted parties in Libya were held by the Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday in Cairo with Speaker of east Libya-based parliament Aquila Saleh and commander of Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalifa Haftar, according to an Egyptian presidential spokesman.
It came as Libya’s security is considered an extension of Egypt’s national security, in addition to the impact of the current Libyan situation on the regional and international scene.
Al-Sisi Speaking at a press conference following the talks said he agreed with Saleh and Haftar to launch a political initiative to resolve the conflict in Libya.
He added that the plan also seeks to pave the way for elections in the North African country and to enable a return to normal life in Libya, and also warned against attempting to seek a military solution to the conflict.
The Egyptian president said “There can be no stability in Libya unless peaceful means to the crisis are found that include the unity and integrity of the national institutions”.
“We warn against the insistence of any party on continuing to search for a military solution to the crisis in Libya” he added.
The President also called on the UN to re-launch peace talks in Geneva, with the participation of the parties to the conflict as well as the European Union, the African Union, the Arab League and Libya’s neighbors.
The approach also recommends an equal representation of Libya’s three regions in the presidential council to be elected under UN supervision. The council would take power for a year and a half, according to Saleh.
GNA did not offer any immediate comments on the plan, but the spokesperson said that they would continue fighting to capture Sirte, a town east of Tripoli, which Haftar’s forces took over in January.
Libya’s military conflict attracted resources from outside governments and arms, with Haftar backed by Egypt, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.