A New Session of the Tripartite Mechanism for Neighbouring Countries in Tunisia

Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad, and African Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, emphasized the crucial importance of the tripartite mechanism of neighboring countries, which is holding a new session in Tunisia, “to discuss the most appropriate ways to provide support and assistance to our Libyan brothers, enabling them to overcome their crisis, reunite, and preserve their country’s sovereignty, unity, and independence.”

Attaf met on Monday with the President of the sisterly Republic of Tunisia, Kais Saied, as part of his official visit to Tunisia to participate in the ministerial meeting of the tripartite mechanism of Libya’s neighbouring countries, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.

The source explained that during this meeting, “Attaf conveyed to the Tunisian President, Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s aspiration to continue joint bilateral efforts to achieve further gains in strengthening Algerian-Tunisian relations, in line with their shared vision for the present and future of the partnership between the two brotherly countries.”

The meeting also allowed, the statement added, for “a review of the various aspects of bilateral cooperation in light of the important outcomes and qualitative results of the 23rd session of the Algerian-Tunisian High Joint Committee, while emphasising the need to translate these outcomes into practical projects and tangible achievements that will further strengthen and enhance relations between the two countries.”

In a related context, Attaf participated on Monday in the ministerial meeting of the mechanism, alongside the Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad, Mohamed Ali Nafti, and the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Egyptians Abroad, Badr Abdel-Ati, according to a ministry’s statement.

The meeting was also attended by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Hanna Serwaa Tetteh.

The meeting of this consultative mechanism was characterized by “a rich and constructive interactive discussion among the foreign ministers of the three countries, who reaffirmed their shared position in support of the ongoing political settlement process in Libya under the auspices of the United Nations, aimed at restoring security and stability to this brotherly country in a way that preserves its sovereignty, independence, resources, and unity,” the statement explained.

The meeting concluded with a joint statement affirming “the imperative of Libyan leadership and ownership of the political process, with the participation of all active forces within Libyan society, and the importance of prioritizing dialogue and consensus to lead the country to presidential and parliamentary elections, as well as unifying political, military, and economic institutions in a way that meets the aspirations of the Libyan people who yearn to live in security, stability, and prosperity.”

The statement also affirmed the readiness of the three countries to communicate and consult with various Libyan stakeholders to bridge their differences for the benefit and interest of the brotherly Libyan people.

In the same context, the joint statement reiterated the rejection of the three countries of all forms of foreign interference in Libyan internal affairs. It stressed the need to withdraw mercenaries and foreign fighters from all parts of the country.