Morocco reaffirmed, on Monday, its support for the efforts of the UN Special Representative for Libya, while stressing its position of principle for peace in Libya, which is based on an “inter-Libyan solution under the aegis of the United Nations”. without foreign interference.
During a joint press briefing between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, and the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, the Head of the Moroccan diplomacy recalled the principles of the Moroccan position in the Libyan file.
Morocco, which has been alongside Libya and Libyan institutions for nearly ten years to help resolve the crisis without interfering in the conflict, by offering a pragmatic and peaceful forum for parties, was also the country where the Skhirate agreements were signed in 2015, which still remain today, the basis of a lasting political solution for Libya.
“This meeting was an opportunity to renew our country’s support for the efforts of Mr. Abdoulaye Bathily, and our availability to work with him permanently within the framework of the missions entrusted to him”, declared Nasser Bourita at a conference of press in Rabat.
“We discussed the evolution of the situation in Libya, the progress made in certain areas, but also the obstacles encountered,” he added.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated the determinants that explain the singularity of the Moroccan position, affirming that Rabat supports the national unity and territorial sovereignty of Libya and its attachment to “peaceful solutions far from any foreign interference or military solutions. The solution must be inter-Libyan under the aegis of the United Nations”.
Morocco, he continued, differentiates the question of legitimacy which can only be obtained through the holding of elections from that of the management of the transitional phase. “Libya does not need a transition within a transition, but a transition that leads directly to peace,” he said, referring to the failure to respect the electoral calendar which was to allow the installation of a legitimate power, chosen by the Libyan people.
For the kingdom, the role of Libyan transitional institutions and authorities, such as the Libyan Government of National Unity, the House of Representatives and the High Council of State as institutions for managing the transition period, are ” important” to bring Libya to settle the question of legitimacy, explained Nasser Bourita.
And to add that it is on the instructions of King Mohammed VI, that Morocco supports the inter-Libyan negotiation efforts, by offering the Libyan protagonists a space for dialogue according to a pragmatic approach.
For his part, the head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, supported Morocco’s role and called on all the neighboring countries of Libya to subscribe to this logic to “ensure that the country is finally stabilized after 10 years of conflict, with strong and legitimate institutions that will pave the way to peace and prosperity”.
Abdoulaye Bathily, testified to the concern shared by Morocco to contribute to the restoration of peace and stability in Libya and welcomed “the efforts made by Morocco for the resolution of the Libyan conflict”, citing the agreement of Skhirat, the Bouznika meetings and “other initiatives that allow us to act together in the same direction”.
He also supported Morocco’s position on elections, saying: “Of course, the stability and legitimacy of institutions cannot be obtained without elections. At the United Nations, we believe that a solution can only be lasting if it is achieved through the adhesion of the Libyans themselves”, affirming that the United Nations continues “to call on the Libyans to dialogue and compromise for a Libyan-Libyan agreement to be found. We are working hard on this with all the partners, including Morocco”.