CAIRO, May 31 (MENA) - The foreign ministers of Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria stressed the need to accelerate efforts to resolve the Libyan crisis and end political divisions to avoid further escalation, violence, and terrorism, as well as the widening of the conflict.

In the final statement issued after their tripartite meeting on Libya, they underscored that Libya’s security is directly linked to the security of its neighboring countries.

The foreign ministers of the the countries met in Cairo, marking the resumption of the tripartite neighboring countries’ mechanism to discuss the latest developments in Libya and push for the much-needed political solution, the statement noted.

Amid the grave developments in Libya and the deteriorating security situation in the capital, Tripoli, the ministers renewed their call on all Libyan parties to exercise maximum restraint and immediately halt any escalation to ensure the safety of the Libyan people.

The ministers emphasized the need to uphold the interests of the Libyan people, protect their resources and property, and achieve consensus among all Libyan parties. They underscored that this should be done under UN supervision, with the support of neighboring countries, in order to end the political division and advance the political process in Libya, including unifying institutions and holding simultaneous parliamentary and presidential elections.

They stressed the importance of genuine Libya's leading of its own political process and reaffirmed that the solution must be Libyan-led and based on the will and consensus of all segments of the Libyan people.

They expressed support for the United Nations' role in facilitating this process, ensuring it meets the aspirations of all Libyans without exclusion.

The ministers also reiterated their rejection of any external interference in Libya, which only fuels internal tensions and prolongs the crisis, threatening security and stability in Libya and its neighbors.

They affirmed the need to continue supporting the efforts of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission to maintain the existing ceasefire, ensure the withdrawal of all foreign forces, fighters, and mercenaries within a set time frame, and work toward the reunification of military and security institutions. These steps should align fully with ongoing efforts in the UN, African, Arab, and Mediterranean frameworks.

The ministers agreed to continue coordination between the three countries and the UN to assess the situation in Libya and exchange views on the future of the political scene, as well as ways to cooperate in achieving security, stability, and development in the region.

The foreign ministers of Tunisia and Algeria expressed their sincere thanks to Egypt for hosting the meeting at such a critical time and for the warm reception and generous hospitality.

Finally, the ministers emphasized the need for regular meetings of the tripartite mechanism, with the next ministerial meeting to be held in Algeria, followed by Tunisia, before the end of 2025. (MENA)

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