Tunisia Reveals The Details Of Its Initiative With Algeria Regarding Libya

An agreement between Tunisia and Algeria regarding the hosting of a Libyan-Libyan dialogue will be activated within the coming days and weeks, to get this country out of its current crisis, A Tunisian official announced, on Monday.

This came in media statements by the Secretary of State (Assistant Minister) in charge of running the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sabri Bachtabdji, on the sidelines of a closed hearing in Parliament for Tunisian Defence, Interior and Foreign ministers, that is devoted to examining the Libyan situation and its implications for Tunisia.

On Sunday, Algeria and Tunisia proposed to host dialogue sessions between the Libyan parties, in preparation for launching a political process that is leading to elections, according to what the President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, announced during a press conference with his Tunisian counterpart, Kais Saied, after a meeting between them in Algiers.

Bachtobdji said: “Within the coming days and weeks, an agreement between Tunisia and Algeria will be activated to get Libya out of its current crisis”.

“The agreement between Kais Saied and Tebboune aims to give way to embracing a Libyan-Libyan inclusive dialogue, which will be a basis for the political settlement that we want”, he added.

“After the last Berlin conference (held on last January), there are international endeavours and we the neighbouring countries called on other countries to let us play have an important role in these endeavours to consolidate the ceasefire and launch the political dialogue process”.

“There are Libyan parties (he did not mention them) which have great importance because of their tribal structure in this country, and they push to peace and embrace the political process, and we hope that they will reach safety, and the neighbouring countries have a role in this, which is what we have called for always and forever”.

The Tunisian official stated that his country “stands at the same distance from all Libyan parties, and is looking for a peaceful solution to this crisis”.

On the other hand, Tunisian Defense Minister, Mohamed Karim Jamoussi, asserted on Monday, in media statements at the parliament’s headquarters, that “the southeast (the border areas with Libya) is secured, and we are ready and fully prepared for any emergency, and the defence structure is strengthened in all areas by land, air and sea”.