Libya minister says unity Libya requires refuting foreign meddling

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
8 Jun 2023 12:56

Libyan Interior Minister of the Libyan government, who was authorized by the parliament, Issam Bouzriba says the 5+5 Joint Military Commission witnessed progress toward uniting the country's military forces.

Libyan flags are displayed as people celebrate the February Revolution Day in Martyrs' Square in Tripoli, Libya, Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. (AP)

The Interior Minister of the Libyan government, who was authorized by the parliament, Issam Bouzriba, affirmed that a singular unified cabinet of ministers could be a possibility for Libya only if the matter is treated as a strictly internal issue that must not be subjugated to any foreign interference.

Bouzriba explained that "if foreign countries agree to do so, to leave ... this matter for internal consideration, and agree with Libya's decision, I am sure, the parliament and the High Council of State [an advisory body for Libya] will successfully form a new government," Bouzriba said.

The Libyan official confirmed, according to Sputnik, that a number of states currently interfere in Libyan internal affairs and most notably influence local political parties.

Bouzriba highlighted that several of those influenced by foreign actors were more loyal to their foreign patrons than they were to Libya and the Libyan people.

However, the interior minister explained that ongoing instability in Libya was caused by political and military squabbles. The 5+5 Joint Military Commission, said Bouzriba, was able to make progress in the process of reuniting the Libyan armed forces.

Russia, said Bouzriba, could play a key role, as a third-party actor, in ensuring stability across Libya.

"Libyan-Russian relations are typical historical relations, not a product of the moment. We had historical ties with Russia from the very beginning … Russia has the permanent advantage of avoiding interference in internal affairs. We hope Russia will play a key role in Libya at the next stage, in achieving the security and stability of the country," Bouzriba explained.

It is also worth mentioning that the Libyan official affirmed that the war in Ukraine has not impacted Libyan-Russian relations as that remained "a purely internal matter of Moscow."