Roundup: Arab FMs reject foreign military escalation in Libya

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CAIRO, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Arab foreign ministers stressed on Tuesday that foreign military presence in Libya threatens the security and stability of the whole region.

In an Arab League emergency video conference, the Arab countries said that a political solution is the key to solving the Libyan crisis.

The Arab ministers affirmed the pivotal role of neighboring countries in ending the tensions in Libya while hailing the "Cairo Declaration."

Cairo Declaration, the Egyptian initiative announced by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on June 6, sought a cease-fire between warring Libyan parties, an UN-supervised election of a Libyan presidential council, and drafting a constitutional declaration to regulate elections for the later stage.

The meeting also reiterated that unity, sovereignty, safety, and security of the Libyan territories would promote the country's democratic future.

The Arab ministers stressed that the infiltration of the "terrorist and extremist fighters" violated the international resolution which banned arms exports.

Libya has been locked in a civil war since the ouster and killing of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

The situation escalated in 2014, splitting power between two rival governments, namely the UN-backed Government of National Accord based in the capital Tripoli and the other in the northeastern city of Tobruk allied with Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry affirmed Egypt's fixed stand towards the Libyan crisis.

He emphasized the significance of restoring the strength of the ailing Libyan economy and warned against foreign intervention, which is "the main threat to the Libyans as well as the Arab security and stability."

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit also voiced rejection for all foreign military intervention in Libya.

In his speech for the video conference, Aboul-Gheit called for preserving the unity and independence of Libya.

The main objective of the meeting should be "stopping the fight, reducing the dangerous military field escalations and reaching an immediate truce at all fighting lines especially around Sirte," he added.

Any arrangements for a cease-fire wouldn't stand for long unless they are accompanied by kicking the foreign fighters and mercenaries out and dismantling the military militia, added the pan-Arab body chairman.

On Monday, the Arab League also hosted a virtual meeting calling for ending hostilities in Libya.

The meetings came after Sisi said on June 20 that "Cairo has a legitimate right to intervene in the neighboring country to restore security and stability." Enditem

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