Libyan Interior Min. says Egypt’s support contributed to reaching ceasefire

CAIRO – 21 August 2020: As Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj announced a ceasefire nationwide, his Interior Minister told Bloomberg that the ceasefire could only happen with support from Egypt, US and Turkey.

Hundreds of people have been killed in continuous battles between the conflicting factions in Libya; the Libyan National Army led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and the Parliament in the east and the Government of National Accord led by Fayez Al-Sarraj and its forces in the west.

Sarraj’s ceasefire has been hailed by many countries, including Egypt Italy and Turkey. Also, the Libyan Parliament announced a ceasefire over challenges facing Libya currently, including coronavirus.

“It must be followed by a serious political dialogue that leads to a settlement,” Fathi Bashaga, Interior Minister at the government of Sarraj added. “Those steps must be taken quickly.”

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi welcomed the cease-fire initiative that has been declared by Libyan Speaker Aguila Saleh and Sarraj, as a way for the departure of all mercenaries in Libya.

“I welcome the statements issued by the Presidential Council and the House of Representatives in Libya to cease fire and stop the military operations in all Libyan territories, as it represents an important step to achieve a political settlement and meet the aspirations of the Libyan people to restore stability and prosperity in Libya and to preserve the capabilities of its people,” President Sisi tweeted on Friday.

Both Libyan leaders called for demilitarize the oil-rich area of Jafa-Sirte. The Libyan government, headed by Sarraj, called for holding Presidential and Parliamentary elections in March, Al-Arabiya reported.

Saleh said that they are looking forward to making Sirte a temporary headquarters for the coming new presidential council.

Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General (ASRSG) for Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Stephanie Williams also welcomed the initiative.