France, Egypt join forces to reach settlement in Libya
Observers are optimistic about the new initiative launched by Paris and Cairo to solve the Libyan crisis.
CAIRO — France's Ambassador to Egypt Stephane Romatet announced in press statements Oct. 13 the launching of a new initiative to solve the Libyan crisis, in coordination with Egypt. The initiative will include neighboring countries and all political actors in the crisis.
In an interview with Al-Shorouk newspaper Oct. 10, Romatet said, “France and Egypt share the same view regarding ways to settle the Libyan crisis, mainly by transforming the temporary truce into a permanent cease-fire and pushing all Libyan parties to reach a common political agenda. Despite the difficulty of that, this agenda must be reached as the only way to fill the political vacuum in the country, because there is no military solution to the Libyan crisis.”
On another note, he stressed the need to stop foreign influence and interference in Libya, especially by Turkey, and to abide by the United Nations arms embargo imposed on the country in 2011.
Romatet’s statements came as Egypt hosted a meeting Oct. 11-13 between members of Libya’s House of Representatives and the State Council, under UN auspices, to discuss the constitutional path.
