Egypt steps into Libya’s peace talks in Morocco

Mustafa Kamel

Egypt is getting involved in negotiations between Libyan rivals, now taking place in Moroccan capital Rabat.

The negotiations aim at reaching a settlement to the Libyan crisis.

Egypt calls for finding a political settlement to the crisis, one that protects Libya’s unity and fulfils the aspirations of the Libyan people.

Russia is calling, meanwhile, on Libya’s rivals to totally suspend fighting on all sides.

Cairo getting involved

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry discussed latest developments on the Libyan scene with his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita in talks over the phone recently.

Shoukry told the Moroccan foreign minister that Egypt hopes Libya’s rivals can reached a unanimous settlement that preserves Libya’s unity and fulfils the aspirations of its people.

Cairo, he said, also hopes there can be a settlement that opens the door for the eradication of terrorism and the suspension of foreign interference in Libyan affairs.

He described this foreign interference as “destructive”.

Shoukry also called for maintaining Libya’s ongoing ceasefire and moving ahead on the road of settling the Libyan conflict in a comprehensive manner.

The two ministers agreed to maintain consultations and intensify contacts with influential parties on the Libyan stage as well as international partners, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya and the African Union.

Russian proposal

Russia called, meanwhile, on Libya’s rivals to abide by a full and unconditional ceasefire.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said his country had backed all initiatives aiming at calming down tensions in Libya.

He refuted Turkish claims that Russia had sent arms and fighters to Libya.

These accusations were made several times in the past, Lavrov said. However, nobody could present proof to back them.

He said Moscow had been trying to find a peaceful settlement to the conflict in Libya from the very beginning.

He added that western countries had started backing the Russian view on Libya.

Most importantly, Libyan parties started backing this view as well, Lavrov said.