ABU DHABI // Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and other foreign ministers from across the globe have condemned on-going violence in Libya, calling for an immediate ceasefire.
They rejected the “extremism hijacking Libya’s development and democratic process”, in a statement issued after the meeting on Monday, held at the UN General Assembly in New York.
Their statement comes after the UN Support Mission in Libya announced plans to hold political discussions on September 29.
“We call on all parties to accept an immediate, comprehensive ceasefire and engage constructively in a peaceful political dialogue to resolve the ongoing crisis, abstaining from confrontational acts that risk undermining it,” the communique, published by state news agency Wam, read.
The governments of the UAE, Algeria, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, the UK and the US signed the communique, as well as the European Union and the UN.
Maj Gen Faris Al Mazrouei, UAE assistant foreign minister for security and military affairs, also attended the meeting.
The countries pledged support for the UN mission representative, Bernardino Leon, in efforts towards a negotiated settlement, as well as the reconciliation and humanitarian efforts of Libya’s neighbours and partners.
Those responsible for the violence and those undermining Libya’s transition to democracy “must be held accountable”, the statement read.
The countries voiced support for implementing the UN resolution issued last month, which also called for an immediate ceasefire.
“There is no military solution to this conflict,” the foreign ministers said.
They called on the Libyan interim government and parliamentarians in the House of Representatives to “adopt inclusive policies that benefit all Libyans” and form a government “that meets all aspirations of the Libyan people for security, reconciliation and prosperity.”
The ministers also agreed to meet in two months in Madrid to discuss developments.
Libya’s elected parliament has meanwhile approved a new cabinet proposed by Prime Minister Abdullah Al Thinni, Reuters reported on Monday.
The internationally recognised House of Representatives has relocated after an armed group set up a rival parliament and government, calling itself the General National Congress.
The worsening security situation and renewed fighting has led to more Libyans being displaced from their homes, the UN mission to Libya says, estimating the number at 140,000.
The UN Security Council set up the special mission in 2011 to support Libyan authorities in transition after the ouster of its former leader Muammar Gaddafi.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
