In a recent interview with Al-Qahera News, Libyan Presidential Council head Mohamed al-Menfi highlighted the strategic importance of Egyptian-Libyan relations, which he said transcend traditional ties and are rooted in historical, strategic, and shared national security interests. Al-Menfi welcomed Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty's visit to Tripoli and the reopening of the Egyptian embassy as crucial steps toward strengthening bilateral relations. These moves, he noted, are in line with directives from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who has emphasized the importance of brotherly relations and respect for Libyan sovereignty.
Al-Menfi emphasized that ending Libya's political division is contingent upon the restoration of the Libyan people's will as the basis for any political solution. He stressed the necessity of Libyan participation in all stages of the political settlement to ensure consensus and the unification of state institutions. According to al-Menfi, any solution that fails to incorporate the Libyan people's participation risks reverting to square one. He underscored that Libyan ownership and sovereignty must be present in any agreements reached.
The Libyan Presidential Council head expressed optimism about the possibility of conducting parliamentary and presidential elections in Libya, citing progress in overcoming previous obstacles. He noted that the electoral process requires the presence of a high electoral commission and the completion of several procedures. Al-Menfi indicated that electoral laws have achieved consensus, which facilitates the transition to the electoral phase. However, he acknowledged that completing the elections may require further political discussions and the fulfillment of certain executive procedures.
Al-Menfi called for the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to limit its role to monitoring and facilitating the political process. He insisted that any UN or regional move must respect Libyan sovereignty and ensure Libyan ownership of the political solution. Al-Menfi warned that the UN mission has sometimes overstepped its mandate, emphasizing the need for it to focus on supporting Libyan institutions and the will of the Libyan people.
According to al-Menfi, discussions about Libya's future must be grounded in two fundamental principles: Libyan sovereignty and the participation of legitimate Libyan institutions. He advocated for clear mechanisms that reflect the Libyan people's will in any future steps. The Presidential Council, he said, has proposed projects related to referendums and polls to achieve a clear political settlement with Libyan participation.
Al-Menfi portrayed the Presidential Council as the only undivided authority in Libya, capable of engaging with various parties to achieve a genuine settlement that ends division and supports institutional stability. He highlighted the Council's ability to communicate with all parties and contribute to a political settlement, whether in the political process or legislative and constitutional procedures related to elections.
The Presidential Council head concluded by reaffirming the importance of popular participation in Libya's political process. He urged all parties to work toward a solution that prioritizes the will and sovereignty of the Libyan people. Key to this, al-Menfi stressed, is the conduct of simultaneous parliamentary and presidential elections, a goal that the Council has championed since its inception.
Key points
- Mohamed al-Menfi emphasizes that the will of the Libyan people must be the foundation for any political solution to the country's crisis.
Reporting sources
- Al-Qahera News · Al-Qahera News
