Dbeibeh says Algeria qualified to lead Libyan reconciliation

By Walid Abdullah and Hassan Jibril

ALGIERS, Algeria (AA) - Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh has called on Algeria to support reconciliation in the war-torn country.

Dbeibeh’s call came following his meeting with Algerian President Abdel-Majid Tebboune in the capital Algiers on Sunday.

According to Dbeibeh's office, the premier said Algeria "did not interfere in Libyan affairs during the past ten years," adding that "Libya views Algeria as an elder brother."

Meanwhile, the Algerian Presidency confirmed in a statement that Dbeibeh asked Tebboune to participate in the Libyan national reconciliation because Algeria is “qualified to lead and support” the reconciliation process.

According to the statement, Tebboune reiterated his country's “continued support to national reconciliation in Libya” and to reopen its airspace and land border with Libya, which have been closed since 2014.

The Libyan premier arrived in Algeria on Saturday on his first visit since he took office for talks on a wide range of issues, including strengthening security cooperation between the two countries and combating terrorism and cross-border crime.

Dbeibeh’s office also noted that the premier expressed "Libya's desire to strengthen and develop its relations with Algeria in various fields and at all levels”.

In April, Algerian Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum underlined during a visit to Tripoli the importance of pursuing efforts to restore security and stability in neighboring Libya and consolidating bilateral relations.

Libyans hope the new unity government will end years of civil war that have engulfed the country since the ouster and killing of strongman Muammar al-Qaddafi in 2011.

*Writing by Ibrahim Mukhtar in Ankara