Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, affirmed, Tuesday in Rabat, Morocco’s full support to Libya in becoming a strong and democratic country capable of contributing to the advancement of the Maghreb region.
In a speech at the ministerial meeting of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) on national reconciliation in Libya, Bourita said that “Morocco’s position on the Libyan issue remains constant and clear,” considering Libya a “key partner in the development of the Maghreb region and the achievement of the aspirations of the region’s peoples regarding integration and development.”
Bourita stressed, in a speech delivered by the Director of the Mashreq, Gulf, Arab, and Islamic Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Fouad Akhrif, that Morocco renews its support to the efforts of the Libyan Presidential Council and President of Congo and Chairman of the African Union (AU) High-Level Committee on Libya, His Excellency Denis Sassou-Nguesso, in order to hold a comprehensive conference for national reconciliation in Libya.
The Foreign minister emphasized that in accordance with the High Directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco was one of the first countries to support the efforts made by the Libyan parties to overcome the country’s transition phase, with the aim of building a democratic state, united and unified in its sovereignty, territory, and national cohesion.
Bourita assured that Morocco stands with the Libyan people, stresses at every opportunity the need to preserve the national unity and territorial integrity of the Libyan state, and considers the adoption of a national dialogue, with the participation of all components of the Libyan people the only way to reach a solution.
In this regard, Bourita added that Morocco has worked, as part of its ongoing efforts to resolve the Libyan crisis, to bring together the views of the Libyan parties, open dialogue between them, and create a conducive atmosphere, noting that the solution can only be Libyan and political and that the difficulties will be overcome through dialogue and the prioritization of Libyan interests.
The Moroccan official also recalled Morocco’s constant efforts to bring together the views of the Libyan parties, by receiving Libyan political actors and officials, noting that the Libyan issue has been at the center of Morocco’s political consultations at the level of bilateral, regional and international meetings, during which the Kingdom underlined the need to reach a political solution to the issue and avert the threat of military intervention or civil war.
The Foreign minister highlighted Morocco’s constant efforts, building on previous experience, from which the Skhirat political agreement has emerged in 2015, to contribute to the resolution of the Libyan conflict based on the Moroccan approach to provide Libyans with a space for dialogue and constructive consultation, adding that Morocco was the first country to bring together speakers of the House of Representatives and the High Council of State in Bouznika and Tangier in 2020, with the aim of reaching a consensus on the mechanisms and criteria for accession to the seven regalian functions, which is one of the essential requirements of the unification of institutions.
During the reception of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Abdoulaye Bathily, Morocco renewed its support for the efforts made by the United Nations (UN) mission to reach an agreement with the Libyan parties to hold presidential and parliamentary elections.
The Moroccan official reaffirmed that Morocco believes that reaching a consensual and comprehensive legislative framework for elections in Libya, under the aegis of the United Nations (UN), is the only way to achieve lasting peace, and the holding of elections as soon as possible is the guarantee for the formation of a legitimate and elected government.
“We hope that the National Reconciliation Conference, which the African Union (UN) and the Libyan Presidential Council intend to organize in Tripoli, will be an opportunity to strengthen consensus between the Libyan parties,” said Bourita.
The Minister noted that pursuant to the High Royal Directives, Morocco affirms its permanent determination and readiness to accompany the national reconciliation in Libya, in the same spirit and with the same approach which draws its credibility from the Kingdom’s firm adherence to the respect of the Libyans’ will without any other agenda, and rejecting any foreign interference aimed at imposing a guardianship and dictating solutions.
Bourita also praised the efforts of the Presidential Council to launch the process of national reconciliation and make the consensus process among Libyans a success in order to establish state institutions and strengthen their capacity, affirming that Morocco’s expertise in transitional justice is at the disposal of the Libyan people, including the eminent experience of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission.
In a similar context, Bourita praised the great interest that the African Union (AU) attaches to the Libyan issue and its tireless efforts to support the political process in Libya which aims to strengthen the foundations of unity and stability in order to achieve the aspirations and hopes of Libyans.