UAE: statement by world powers to end war in Libya is push for political process

UN envoy to Libya meets UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi to discuss ways to end the conflict

UAE's Foriegn Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed receives UN envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame. WAM

A statement by world powers to end the fighting near the Libyan capital of Tripoli represents the need for a political process to advance in the country, the UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday.

The UAE, US, UK, Egypt, France and Italy said the country’s factions must stop fighting and return to the UN-mediated political process.

“The statement represents the will of the international community and the importance of returning Libya back on track, politically,” Dr Anwar Gargash said on Twitter.

It also serves as a “warning against terror groups that attempt to exploit the political void".

Dr Gargash said that the stance taken by the international community was crucial for “the sake of peace and stability".

The UN envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame held talks with the UAE Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, in Abu Dhabi to discuss ways to end the fighting in Libya.

Mr Salame “explained the heavy human cost of the fighting in Libya", the UN mission in Libya said on Twitter.

"He stressed the importance of adhering to a unified roadmap for reuniting the Libyans and helping them to agree and reconcile."

The world powers expressed their support for Mr Salame as “he works to stabilise the situation in Tripoli, restore confidence to achieve a cessation of hostilities, expand his engagement throughout Libya and promote inclusive dialogue".

"We need to re-energise UN mediation, which aims to promote a transitional government representing all Libyans, prepare for credible parliamentary and presidential elections, and to enable a fair allocation of resources, and advance the reunification of the Central Bank of Libya and other Libyan sovereign institutions," the statement read.

It insisted that there was no military solution to Libya’s problems and that the conflict risked destroying the country’s vital energy sector and worsening the Mediterranean migrant crisis.

In early April, forces loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar launched an offensive on Tripoli from their eastern stronghold, determined to oust the militias and extremist groups they say run the capital.

The statement noted that the violence had killed almost 1,100 and displaced more than 100,000.

Sanctioned people have also joined the conflict, while ISIS released videos appearing to show a limited resurgence.

The six nations said that an effort to stop any arms shipments, which have sometimes been delivered in a fairly public way, and to protect Libya’s oil resources was needed.

“We note our deep concerns about the ongoing attempts by terrorist groups to exploit the security vacuum in the country, call on all parties to the Tripoli conflict to dissociate themselves from all such terrorists and individuals designated by the UN Sanctions Committee, and renew our commitment to see those responsible for further instability held accountable.”