– The Arab League (AL) affirmed on Tuesday its commitment to the unity and sovereignty of Libya, rejecting any foreign intervention in the war-torn North African country.
In a statement following an emergency meeting to discuss the Libyan situation, the AL Council at the level of permanent delegates emphasized the support of the Libyan political process through the full implementation of the Skhirat Agreement of 2015.
The AL Council highlighted the importance of involving neighboring countries in international efforts aimed at helping Libyans settle their internal crisis.
The meeting expressed grave concern over the military escalation, which exacerbates the worsening situation in Libya and threatens the security and stability of Libya’s neighbors and the region as a whole, including the Mediterranean.
The permanent delegates called for stopping the military conflict in Libya, stressing that a political settlement is the only solution to restore stability and eliminate terrorism in Libya.
The AL meeting came as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Thursday that his country would send troops to Libya at the request of the UN-backed Libyan government as soon as next month.
Libya has been locked in a civil war, splitting power between two rival governments: the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) based in capital Tripoli and another in the northeastern city of Tobruk which is allied with the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar.
Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, France and Russia support Haftar’s LNA, while the GNA is backed by Turkey and Qatar, as well as Italy.
Haftar has been leading a military campaign since early April in and around Tripoli, attempting to take over the city and topple the UN-backed government.
