On February 5, the African Union (AU) called for an end to "external interference" in Libya, a country that has been torn apart by a devastating civil war since 2011.
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| Libya is currently divided between an internationally recognised Tripoli-based government and another in the east backed by military general Khalifa Haftar. (Source: IEmed) |
The call came during the 9th special meeting on Libya, hosted by the AU, stressing the need to support efforts to return the country to normalcy.
In a statement at the end of the meeting, posted on the AU website, Congolese Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso said: “AU members reaffirmed their support for the political process undertaken by Libya, with the aim of moving towards general elections to elect a unity government.”
The coalition also called on "all external actors to stop interfering in Libya's internal affairs, actions that affect the fundamental interests, legitimate aspirations, stability, peace and development of the Libyan people".
AU Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat said the crisis in Libya "has dragged on for too long and cost its people dearly" and fueled terrorism in the Sahel region.
A reconciliation meeting between Libyan parties is expected to take place on April 28 in the country's city of Sirte.
Since the 2011 coup that toppled leader Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has been locked in years of conflict, involving militias, jihadists and foreign mercenaries.
In August 2023, Libya's Presidential Council and the country's parliament agreed to accelerate efforts to hold long-awaited presidential and parliamentary elections.
National elections in Libya, scheduled for December 2021, have been postponed several times due to disagreements between rival factions in the country.
Libya is currently divided between an internationally recognised Tripoli-based government and another in the east backed by military commander Khalifa Haftar.
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