Internationally recognised Libyan Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni is “aspiring” to reach a peace agreement with representatives of the rival Tripoli government at a meeting today.
Speaking during a press conference after a quick visit to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in Malta yesterday, Mr al-Thinni said his intentions were to help facilitate the peace process.
“It goes without saying that there will be a lot of obstacles and discussions. Nonetheless we aspire to sign this agreement tomorrow and make it a reality,” he said.
The two rival governments in Libya have been engaged innegotiations in Morocco, mediated by UN special representative Bernardino Leon, for some nine months.
Asked if he felt the agreement would last, Mr al-Thinni was cautious, pointing to dissenting voices across the North African State.
“There are war mongerers who are supporting the extremists and any decision taken will always have enemies with special interests. However, the wise and kind people of Libya will try their best to reach a solution,” he said.
Meanwhile, sources close to the rival Tripoli government cast doubts over whether an agreement was close, saying there was a lot still in the balance.
Dr Muscat said the Maltese government was ready to continue supporting Libyan businesses and administrative bodies which had set up in Malta in recent months. He added that once an agreement was reached Maltese businesses were eager to reinvest in Libya.
Mr al-Thinni said he and his Cabinet had made numerous compromises along the negotiation process, but none of these had any bearing on his government’s core beliefs.
“We have made concessions, but these are for the higher national interest,” he said.
Once a unity government is formed, Mr al-Thinni said this would be seated in Tripoli but when asked if there were any favourites to head this new government, he was reluctant to name any names.
“It is difficult to say any names. But due to provisions that this person, whoever they are, would have to have very popular support, I am confident that there will be a big backing and it will be the right person to lead Libya.”
Mr al-Thinni said that once a unity government was set up, one of its main commitments would be to open the country for business. To achieve this, Libya would have to continue its fight against terror.
“Any sane government would fight terror, and we have been fighting this for some time now. This is of paramount importance for the safety and stability of Libya and the rest of the world. This is a fight we all must fight together.”
Mr al-Thinni also said that despite no discussions on weapons handover having been initiated, this would have to be planned out, for the safety for the Libyan people. “It is clear that something will have to be done, to deescalate armaments, to regain a sense of safety,” he said.