Algeria sought some countries’ backing to pressurize parties still hostile to dialogue in strife-torn Libya

The Chairman of the Algerian-African peace and reconciliation committee, Ahmed Mizab, has revealed that there have been of late close contacts between the Algerian authorities and some friendly countries with the aim of applying pressure on those parties in Libya that are still loath to the proposed political dialogue aimed at bailing this neighbouring country out of its current crisis.

In a statement to the “Al Wasat” Libyan newspaper, Mr Ahmed Mizab said that the Algerian authorities had requested the assistance of certain prominent figures from some friendly countries with a view to convincing some parties at issue in the Libyan conflict to shun their current procrastination and embark on the inclusive dialogue proposed by the Algerian side as the only means of settling the country’s lingering crisis.

He also affirmed that Algeria’s move was designed to clear the air by allowing all the Libyan stakeholders have their say in the projected dialogue aimed at restoring peace in Libya and reconciling all Libyans as part of the country’s retrieved unity and cohesion.

Despite the current hurdles, Algeria on Saturday wowed to continue to help reach a political solution to the Libyan crisis.”Algeria will pursue its mission of supporting the Libyan stakeholders who are ready to craft a political solution and put an end to this crisis,” deputy foreign minister in charge of Maghrebian and African affairs Abdelkader Messahel was quoted as saying by local media outlets

Messahel also said that the solution to the crisis in Libya lies in the hands of Libyans themselves, saying no foreign party should intervene. Algeria calls for the compliance with the UN Security Council’s resolutions related to the Libyan crisis, and urges Libya’s partners to work together and promote reconciliation among all the Libyans.

He also said that the process of settling the crisis would isolate the terrorist groups, preserve the territorial integrity, the national cohesion, and pave the way to building a modern and democratic state.

The Sahel region has been hit by violence and become a safe-haven for extremist armed groups and traffickers of narcotic and arms.

The chaos hitting Northern Mali and Libya in recent years have made things even worse.Messahel said the lasting chaos in Libya and Mali “could be beneficial only to terrorist groups and the transnational organized crime,” adding that “bringing back peace and stability to these nations will reinforce the effective fight against terrorism and the organized crime.                                                                        “Algeria has launched a peace initiative for Libya via the African Union (AU).Earlier this month, Special Representative of the AU Commission in Libya, Mondher Rezgui, said the initiative is supported by the AU and the UN, and aims at establishing genuine and constructive inter-Libyan dialogue.

He added that the Algerian initiative has been supported by several international parties as well as by some parties in Libya.