UAE urges renewed diplomatic effort to end conflict in Libya

UAE stands ready to work closely with UN Security Council members to achieve a peaceful settlement for the Libyan people

Lana Nusseibeh at the UN Security Council. UN

The UAE expressed an urgent need for renewed diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Libya, a statement by its permanent representative to the UN said.

“The UAE stands ready to work closely with all Security Council members, including the new US administration, to achieve a peaceful settlement for the Libyan people,” the UAE’s Permanent Representative Lana Nusseibeh said.

The 15-member Security Council discussed the situation in Libya on Thursday and called in a statement for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign fighters and mercenaries.

"It's essential that all foreign troops and all foreign mercenaries move first to Benghazi and to Tripoli and, from there, move back and leave the Libyans alone, because the Libyans have already proven that, left alone, they are able to address their problems," UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said.

The UAE said it welcomed the council's call for all foreign forces to withdraw from Libya and called for an immediate end to foreign intervention in the conflict.

Libya initially descended into chaos after the Nato-backed overthrow of dictator Muammar Qaddafi  in 2011, and has been divided since 2014 between two rival administrations that agreed on a ceasefire last October.

"The UAE firmly believes that diplomatic and political solutions are the sole path to end the Libyan conflict. Achieving peace and stability in Libya is also essential for the security of the wider Mena and Mediterranean regions," Ms Nusseibeh said.

The UAE said it had consistently supported a "comprehensive and lasting" political solution to the Libyan crisis. It expressed full support to Jan Kubis as the Secretary General's special envoy to Libya and to Raisedon Zenenga as co-ordinator of the UN support mission in Libya.

"The first priority is to preserve and reinforce the ceasefire agreement. This will enable and encourage a political process and a Libyan-led transition that fulfils the aspirations of the Libyan people for stability, peace, and prosperity," Ms Nusseibeh said.