Developments in Libya could lead to “state of polarization”: Arab League chief

CAIRO, Feb. 10– Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on Thursday expressed concern that the recent developments in Libya could lead to “a state of polarization” that had plagued the country for years. The Arab League backs all sincere efforts to maintain the stability of Libya with no foreign intervention, the Cairo- based pan-Arab body’s chief noted.

CAIRO, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) — Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on Thursday expressed concern that the recent developments in Libya could lead to “a state of polarization” that had plagued the country for years.

“Libya’s political leaders should work on achieving national consensus and put aside any narrow interests,” Aboul-Gheit said in a statement.

A comprehensive political agreement that ensures national elections aimed at restoring the legitimacy of state institutions is the only way to end the long transitional period and head toward stability, development, and construction, he added.

The Arab League backs all sincere efforts to maintain the stability of Libya with no foreign intervention, the Cairo-based pan-Arab body’s chief noted.

According to the United Nations, there are at least 20,000 foreign fighters and mercenaries in the war-torn North African country.

The presidential elections in Libya had been scheduled for December 2021, but was postponed by the Libyan High National Elections Commission over “legal and technical challenges and difficulties” after consultations with the House of Representatives.

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah said on Tuesday that his government will remain in office until elections are held, and will only hand over to an elected government.

It is worth noting that the House of Representatives is expected to vote for a new prime minister on Thursday, as Speaker Aguila Saleh has said Dbeibah’s government already expired.

Libya has been suffering insecurity and chaos ever since the fall of its late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Mercenaries and other fighters from outside Libya have reportedly been operating inside the country for years. Enditem