The foreign ministers of Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria agreed to work together to reach settlement between warring factions in Libya and push for an “unconditional ceasefire” in the North African country.
The ministers expressed “deep concern” over the chaotic situation in Libya as they met in Tunisia to discuss efforts to halt fighting and return to the UN-led political process, according to a joint statement published by Egypt s foreign ministry.
Libya has been gripped by political turmoil since its former dictator Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in a 2011 uprising.
More than 500 people were killed and 75,000 forced out of their homes after eastern forces of commander Khalifa Haftar began an offensive in April to advance inside the capital Tripoli, which is controlled by the internationally recognised government.
During the meeting Wednesday, the Arab ministers called for pushing Libya s political process forward pursuant to a UN peace plan to stabilize the troubled country.
“The ministers renewed their categorical rejection of any outside interference in Libya s internal affairs" and denounced "the continuous flow of weapons from regional parties” and the “influx of foreign terrorist fighters” in Libya, the statement said.
The ministers agreed to work together to fight terrorism and dry up its sources and support Libya s national efforts in this regard, the statement added.
The meeting, the seventh of its kind, is part of a tripartite initiative launched in 2017 to push for a political settlement in Libya.
The officials agreed to convene their next meeting in Algeria, with the exact time yet to be set.
