Algeria’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday announced the country will host foreign ministers from six northern and sub-Saharan African countries on Thursday to discuss the Libya issue, reported Reuters.
The Thursday meeting of Ministers from Egypt, Tunisia, Sudan, Chad, Mali and Niger follows a Berlin summit held last week that was aimed at shoring up a tentative ceasefire.
Bassam Radi, Algeria’s foreign ministry spokesperson said the meeting will review the latest developments concerning the Libyan issue. He added that representatives of Libya’s neighboring countries will discuss future steps in light of the Berlin summit in Libya. They will also discuss consolidating joint efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement in the war-torn country.
According to Reuters, a source familiar with the matter said Algeria is working to build consensus to secure the maximum chance for a peace deal at a proposed meeting in Algiers as it fears attempts by armed groups to enter its territory from Libya to attack its oil and gas facilities.
Notably, after the ousting of late ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, two seats of power have emerged in Libya- the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli and warlord Khalifa Haftar in eastern Libya.
Haftar led Libya National Army (LNA) had launched an offensive against forces led by the United Nations-supported government in April last year to get hold of Tripoli. Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj enjoys UN recognition and a Turkish military presence but has struggled to assert his authority beyond Tripoli. Haftar has the support of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia.
According to UN figures, violent clashes have killed over 280 civilians and 2,000 fighters and forced more than 140,000 people to flee their homes.
Last week, Haftar promised to respect a cease-fire brokered by Turkey and Russia, but his militias launched attacks, including against the Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli on Wednesday.
