By Libya Herald Reporters.
Tunis, 18 October 2015:
Immediate approval of the Political Accord has been urged on all parties to the Dialogue . . .[restrict]by twelve foreign ministers in a statement issued this evening.
Algeria, France, Germany, Italy, Morocco, Qatar, Spain, Turkey, UAE, UK and US as well as the EU warned that Libyan players faced “a stark choice”.
The House of Representatives is due to reconvene tomorrow in Tobruk to continue its debate on the Accord, with strong indications that it is likely to once again delay a decision.
The remnant GNC has also refused to back the deal even though, unlike the HoR, its assent is not essential.
The foreign ministers warned the parties to the Accord, “They can delay approval of the text and annexes beyond 20 October or attempt to make further amendments and put at risk the stability of the country.
“To secure Libya’s future, we urge the Libyan parties to immediately approve the hard-fought political compromise set forth in the Political Agreement, which will provide a period of stability to the country until a new constitution can be agreed”.
Their statement continued that new elections could then be held which would finally give Libya a fully-representative, inclusive and democratic parliament whose legitimacy was acknowledged across the country and the world.
“The Libyan people have made it clear that they want an end to instability in their country, instability which has led to the loss of lives, allowed terrorism to grow, and severely damaged the economy of the country”.
The international community was ready to support the Libyan people and the leaders they chose, said the foreign ministers. They continued that it also looked forward “to working with the Government of National Accord (GNA), at their request in supporting the fight against terrorism, particularly ISIL and Ansar Al-Sharia and in helping Libya face up to its many challenges”.
They concluded: “We urge all participants in the Dialogue to seize the opportunity to end this instability by approving and faithfully implementing the political agreement without introducing further amendments”. [/restrict]
