Arab Foreign Ministers Warn Foreign Meddling Exacerbates Libya Crisis
Arab World
Asharq Al-Awsat
The Arab League warned on Tuesday that foreign meddling will only exacerbate the crisis in Libya. At Egypt's request, the Arab foreign ministers held an extraordinary League virtual meeting to tackle the conflict in the North African country as Turkey continues to establish a foothold there. In a statement, the ministers also expressed their rejection of the transport of “extremists and terrorists to Libya.” Ankara has been active in sending Syrian mercenaries to the country to prop up the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA). The ministers slammed the foreign meddling in Libya, welcoming “all political initiatives” to end the crisis and urging an “immediate ceasefire.” Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri had warned during the meeting that Cairo “will not be lenient with terrorism and its backers.” “It will not shy away from taking all measures that can prevent Libya and its people from falling victim to terrorist groups and armed militias,” he stressed. Cairo, he added, has repeatedly warned of the danger of the spread of terrorism in Libya. Egypt had recently announced an initiative to reach a ceasefire in Libya and resume political negotiations. It has been welcomed by foreign powers and Arab countries, but dismissed by the GNA and Turkey. Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit stressed the need for mercenaries and foreign fighters to quit Libya. Moreover, he expressed concern over the “internationalization” of the conflict, warning that the country was at a critical crossroads. The political solution is the only way to restore stability in Libya, he stressed, underlining the need to preserve its unity and independence. United Arab Emirates State Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Anwar Gargash underlined at the meeting Abu Dhabi’s keenness on Libya’s unity and the Arab role in its political process. He emphasized the pressing need for a ceasefire that would pave the way for a comprehensive solution that would restore security and stability throughout the country and put an end to Turkey’s dangerous meddling against Arab national security, especially Egypt. Gargash expressed the UAE’s support for Egypt’s efforts to resolve the Libyan crisis, citing President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi’s recent initiative. He also voiced its support to Egypt in all measures it takes to protect its security and stability, as well as its right to defend itself. Nile dam The foreign ministers also tackled the Nile dam crisis between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia, warning against any unilateral moves over the river. “We reject any act that violates the rights of all parties entitled to shares of the water,” they stressed, while expressing concern over the stalling in negotiations over the crisis. They called on "all parties to avoid taking further escalatory actions" and for Addis Ababa not to fill its Renaissance Dam "without reaching an agreement with the downstream countries". The resolution submitted by Egypt and approved by the foreign ministers, except for Djibouti and Somalia, was passed at the conference. Ethiopia has signalled it will start in July to fill the reservoir of the $4.6-billion dam, on which it broke ground nearly a decade ago. The League's meeting comes after the latest round of three-way negotiations on the dam project faltered. Egypt has written to the UN Security Council asking for its intervention, while Sudan, also a downstream country, has taken a more reserved approach in the tussle. Egypt views the dam as a threat to its lifeline water supplies, while Ethiopia sees it essential for its electricity needs. The UN on Monday urged the three countries to "work together" to resolve differences on the project that has been a long-running source of regional tension.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2350461/arab-foreign-ministers-warn-foreign-meddling-exacerbates-libya-crisis
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