Libya Dawn ready to participate in reconciliation talks

Libya Dawn fighters announced yesterday that they are ready to participate in national reconciliation efforts taking place between the country’s warring parties, the Anadolu Agency reported.

The group said in a statement that their decision comes to “cut the former regime’s path to returning to power under the Geneva dialogue cloak”.

“Any reconciliation attempts must be based on the principles of the February 17 revolution to obstruct infiltrators,” the statement said.

The statement added: “The militia announced seven months ago the revolution’s goals which include a country of justice, law and institutions, and to stand against those who seek to reap the fruits of the revolution and use it for their own goals.”

The group, which has taken control of Tripoli since 2014, lauded national reconciliation efforts – mainly the initiative by the Libya council of tribal dignitaries in Asbi’a city to reach a ceasefire between warring groups in the western cities of Zintan and Misrata.

The group accused the Tobruk-based parliament and renegade General Khalifa Haftar of standing behind the recent escalation of violence in the east of the country to “justify foreign interference and obstruct national dialogue”.