Egyptian Ambassador: situation in Libya is still threatened as long as there are external forces in it

CAIRO -15 February 2020: Ambassador Hossam Zaki, assistant secretary-general of the League of Arab States, warned of the continued foreign interference in the Libyan crisis, indicating that the situation in Libya has reached a difficult stage, not only because of the disagreement between the Libyan factions but also due to the interference of external forces in Libya's domestic affairs.

Zaki indicated in a television interview that the brothers in Libya were gradually able to restore ability to hold a political dialogue, whether in the military committee or other committees, and the political path that emerged from the Berlin process, stressing that all these steps were directed towards Libya's return to political dialogue and not to an exchange of fire.

The ambassador noted the need to realize that the matter is still threatened and fragile as long as there are external forces on Libyan territories; the political process would never be completed successfully and bear the required fruit until the whole matter is evaluated, and everyone, who is not Libyan or who is unwanted, leaves this country.

Regarding the US State Department’s statements calling for the exit of all arms bearers from Libyan lands and the extent of the development these statements are witnessing, Zaki said, “There is no doubt that there is relative development in the US administration when compared to the previous one,” noting that the administration has different approach and ideas aimed at successfully resolving the crisis.

On the February 8 meeting of Arab foreign ministers, headed by Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry, Ambassador Zaki said that some countries and parties seek to obstruct resolving the Palestinian crisis, such as Iran and Turkey, distorting the role of Arab countries in the process. The meeting discussed the Palestinian issue and the Arab League's most recent, related statements and decisions.

Zaki stressed that the Arab role involves ending the conflict and laying the foundations for resolving the crisis, rejecting the Israeli settlements, and establishing the two-state solution, with a Palestinian state having East Jerusalem as its capital.

Regarding the round of dialogue between the Palestinian factions in Egypt, the Assistant Secretary-General affirmed that Egypt has been exerting long-time, recognized efforts from the moment of the division, and Egypt has full legitimacy to work to resolve the Palestinian division.

Zaki affirmed that the Arab League welcomes the agreement between the factions and said that ending the division is an Arab demand.