Only home-grown initiatives can save Libya- Moroccan FM

Only initiatives emanating from parties to the Libyan conflict can help reach a political solution in line with the spirit of the UN-sponsored Skhirate agreement, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said.

Bourita made the statement at two separate news conferences with Speaker of the East-based Libyan pro-Haftar House of Representatives Aguila Saleh, and later with the Chairman of the High Council of State Khaid Al Mishri.

Bourita reiterated the need to adapt the Skhirate Agreement notably in terms of institutional provisions and warned of the multiplicity of initiatives from foreign parties.

He said Morocco is ready to facilitate any agreement or help the Libyan parties reach a political solution that would guarantee Libya’s stability and national unity.

Bourita said that the new initiatives shown by Libyan parties represent a brim of hope but he also deplored the fog of war hovering in the Libyan sky and the rise in foreign intervention as well as the deteriorating humanitarian situation.

Aguila, for his part, said Morocco’s role is highly appreciated and sought to help Libya engage in a political process and reach a ceasefire.

The House of Representatives does not want war in the country and rejects foreign intervention, Aguila said, stressing that the solution in Libya should be political.

However, he deplored that the administration in charge with implementing the Skhirate Agreement fell short of upholding their commitments

Speaking later in the day at a press conference, Al-Mishri said that initiatives emanating from Libya could offer a framework for reaching a political solution

“We believe that the transitory period in Libya should end as soon as possible in order to hold Presidential and Parliamentary elections in line with constitutional rules that shall be agreed,” he said.