Political solution key to settling Libyan crisis - Abul Gheit

CAIRO - 24 May 2020: Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Abul Gheit called on Sunday for immediately ending all military operations in Libya and stemming bloodshed there.

In a statement marking Eidul Fitr, Abul Gheit urged all warring sides to abandon military options, abide by the ceasefire and engage in a political dialogue under the UN sponsorship as the only key to solving the Libyan crisis.

There is no military solution to the current crisis, he said, adding that the Libyan people have been suffering for 14 months from the ongoing military operations around the capital, Tripoli.

The Arab League chief urged the Libyan leaderships to respond to international pleas and resume negotiations process to reach a lasting ceasefire under UN monitoring.

He expressed worry over growing foreign interference in Libyan affairs, saying all these attempts are strongly condemned by the pan-Arab league.

Any settlement to the current crisis should be Libyan, he said, warning that such interference only deepens the conflict and trigger off tensions that unfortunately tear apart the Libyan people.