Egyptian summit calls for end to violence in Libya

By Hamdi Yildiz

CAIRO (AA) – A summit held in Egypt’s capital Tuesday to discuss the political and security situation in Libya called on the warring parties to reach a truce and launch negotiations.

In the summit’s closing declaration, Libya's UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) and forces led by commander Khalifa Haftar were urged to stop fighting.

The declaration stressed that the chaos created by armed militias had to be ended and only the country’s armed forces and regular police force should possess weapons.

Notably, it said the crisis in Libya has affected African countries the most and they wanted a political solution.

The summit was attended by high-level representatives from Egypt, Rwanda, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Libya has remained beset by turmoil since long-serving leader Muammar Gaddafi was ousted and killed in a bloody NATO-backed uprising in 2011.

Since then, the country has seen the emergence of two rival seats of power: one in eastern Libya, to which Haftar is affiliated, and another in Tripoli, which enjoys UN recognition.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas