Saudi Arabia, allies welcome formation of new interim government for Libya

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has welcomed the election of representatives of a new interim government for Libya announced by the United Nations during the political dialogue sessions that took place in Geneva on Friday.

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the Saudi foreign ministry said: “We hope that this step will achieve security, stability, and development in the country,” praise the successful efforts of the United Nations in this regard.

“We also hope it will preserve unity and sovereignty, ensuring the exit of all foreign fighters and mercenaries and will establish a permanent solution that prevents external interference that endangers Arab regional security.”

Saudi Arabia’s allies, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt, have also welcomed the formation of the interim government in Libya.

In a statement, the UAE’s foreign ministry praised the UN efforts, stressing the UAE's full cooperation with the new authority in order to achieve security, stability, prosperity, and the aspirations of the brotherly Libyan people.

The ministry also said that the UAE looks forward to the success of the remaining tracks under the auspices of the UN mission, expressing hope that this achievement would support stability throughout Libya in order to preserve its national sovereignty and achieve the aspirations of its brotherly people.

Bahrain welcomed the development, stressing the importance of this step in establishing security in Libya and achieving the aspirations of its people for peace, development, and prosperity.

Bahrain’s foreign ministry in a statement appreciated the efforts made by the UN to reach this agreement, calling on all components of Libyan society to follow the peace approach. It also renewed the position of the Kingdom of Bahrain in support of Libya in a way that preserves its sovereignty, security, and stability.

Egypt also welcomed the formation of the interim Libyan government.

In a statement, the spokesman for the foreign ministry, Ambassador Ahmed Hafez, expressed his aspiration to work with the Libyan Interim authority during the coming period until the handover of power to the elected government after the elections which are scheduled to be held on Dec. 24, 2021.

Hafez praised the efforts of the United Nations in sponsoring the political process in Libya, calling on the Libyans to continue to uphold the supreme interest of their country, as well as all international and regional parties to support this peaceful path to settle the crisis in a way that would contribute to restoring stability in Libya, ending the foreign interference in its affairs, expelling foreign fighters and establishing the sovereignty of Libya on its territory.