In his speech before the United Nations General Assembly, the Head of the Presidential Council, Mohamed Menfi, has called for concerted international and regional efforts to help Libya overcome the stage of political division and restore stability.
Menfi pointed out that Libya has suffered for more than a decade from successive transitional stages, marred by many unjustified conflicts and wars between brothers, which were fueled by external interventions seeking to weaken the state, deepen the rift, and control its natural resources, and its political and economic decision.
Referring to the recent political crisis, Menfi said that the institutional division resulting from the systematic obstruction by some political parties, which led to the exacerbation of the political crisis, starting with the creation of parallel bodies, to freezing and canceling commitment to concluded political agreements and relevant Security Council resolutions, and reaching the use of state resources as a tool for political pressure, and most recently, the attempt to tamper with the Libyan judiciary.
Menfi said that the solution is the comprehensive political path with its financial, economic and security tracks, in addition to national reconciliation to unify institutions and ensure stability leading to elections.
He stressed that the Libyan people have the right to determine their fate and choose who will govern them and manage their affairs and wealth, calling for the necessity of giving the Libyan people the opportunity to decide their future through comprehensive elections to end any political deadlock.
Menfi pointed out that the national reconciliation project sponsored by the Presidential Council is proceeding at a slow pace as a result of the recent developments witnessed by the country, and the attempts of some political parties to obstruct it by all means, stressing the importance of accelerating this path to establish and consolidate confidence.
He stressed the necessity that all parties participate constructively in a Libyan dialogue in order to achieve a national charter and an inclusive reconciliation conference, to reach a peaceful settlement based on a Libyan-Libyan solution, away from external dictates and interferences.
On the occasion of the first anniversary of the Derna disaster; Menfi expressed his deep sorrow for the destruction of parts of the city and its surroundings due to Hurricane Daniel, stressing the importance of supporting the sincere efforts made for recovery in preparation for reconstruction throughout the country.
With regard to the Palestinian issue, Menfi stressed the need to address the situation in Gaza and stop the serious violations and attacks in Palestine to ward off the specter of a regional war in the region, stressing the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.
Menfi also stressed the need to combine efforts in combating illegal immigration and terrorism, considering that these issues represent a major challenge for many countries, especially African countries and countries in the region, noting that Libya bears a great burden in the immigration file as a transit country.
He pointed out that resolving this issue requires combining efforts, with the need to take into account national legislation, humanitarian aspects, and the protection of the rights of migrants.
Menfi concluded his speech by addressing the Libyan people, in which he stressed the need to adhere to Libya’s national unity and reject foreign interference, noting that Libya always returns stronger, more resilient and more powerful, despite all the challenges it has faced.
