Calls for Libyan funds to be unfrozen

Six countries have called for Libya’s frozen bank funds to be released so they can be used to help the country which is suffering from an economic crisis.

Ministers from Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Niger, Sudan and Tunisia gathered yesterday in Niger’s capital Niamey for discussions on Libya with UN special envoy Martin Kobler and Presidency Council member Musa Koni.

Libya considered the support and cooperation from the six states to be “of the highest importance”, according to Koni.

In a statement after the meeting, the ministers said they rejected external interference in Libya and reaffirmed their firm support for the Presidency Council under Fayez Al-Sarraj and for the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) as the only viable solution for national reconciliation through inclusive dialogue. The ministers called for a general meeting of all the parties in Libya to be held either in Libya or a neighbouring state.

Kobler warned minsters that Libya was at a “critical stage” whilst Koni stated that the Presidency Council was developing “three fundamental blocks” to stabilise the country in national reconciliation, security and the economy”.

Libya’s neighbours also requested the international community increase aid to improve Libya’s living conditions.

Commending the progress made in the fight against terrorists in Libya, they reiterated the view that their own countries’ security and stability were directly linked to those of Libya. Libya and its neighbours have to work together to combat the threat, Koni explained.