Tunisia keeps the same distance from all Libyan parties, insists president

Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi has insisted that his country keeps the same distance from all Libyan parties in the efforts by regional countries to reach a comprehensive political solution for its North African neighbour.

“Tunisia is keen on non-interference in the internal affairs of Libya and keeps the same distance from all parties,” the president said during a meeting on Thursday with the Chairman of the Libyan Supreme Council, Abdul Rahman Swehli, who is currently visiting Tunis. Essebsi added that the Tunis Declaration signed by regional foreign ministers on Monday aims to facilitate and encourage dialogue between the various parties in Libya.

Read: Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt agree to terms for peace in Libya

Swehli pointed out that the Libyans have no choice but to choose peace and harmony to achieve stability in the country. The status quo, he said, cannot continue. The Libyan official stressed the importance of benefiting from the settlement initiative and the momentum in support from neighbouring countries, as well as the Libyans’ acceptance of the need to reach a solution to the crisis without further delay.

Political figures in Libya are consulting with officials from the tripartite states of Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt in an effort to find a solution to the crisis that has engulfed their country since the fall of Muamar Gaddafi in 2011.

The Tunis Declaration supports a political resolution of the crisis in Libya and rejects any military solution.