Al-Thani hopes for greater Sudanese role in Libya
October 29, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Libya’s prime minister has expressed hope that Sudan will play a major role in restoring security and stability in the NNorth African country, denying reports that the Sudanese government is supporting Islamist militias.
Before to leave Khartoum the visiting head of Libyan government expressed hope that Khartoum support their efforts for peace in his country and reiterated his willingness to engage in talks with armed groups.
“The door is open for dialogue with our brothers on the condition that all the parties make concessions,” he said.
Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir said that his country would host a regional meeting to achieve peace in Libya and reconcile the warring parties in north African nation.
On Tuesday, Sudanese foreign minister Ali Karti announced that al-Thani had accepted a plan presented by Bashir to bring different Libyan groups together for talks on ending the conflict.
The Libyan premier told the BBC in Khartoum that his country is ready to provide economic support for Sudan particularly in the field of oil, disclosing that the next neighbouring countries of Libya meeting will be held in the Sudanese capital to discuss security coordination among these countries to restore stability in Libya.
Meanwhile, the head of the Sudanese Businessmen Union (SBU), Saud al-Birair, said the Sudanese government had agreed to build military camps for the Libyan army, adding that Sudan will also join reconstruction efforts in the strife-torn North African nation.
Al-Birair, who met the Libyan premier on Tuesday in the presence of the Sudanese finance minister and the Libyan foreign minister, disclosed that a delegation from the SBU will soon visit Libya to sign contracts for prefabricated buildings for the Libyan army.
He told the official news agency SUNA that the meeting discussed several issues, including reconstruction of schools and homes, as well as supplying Libya with meat.
SOME PARTIES SEEK TO DIVIDE LIBYA
Al-Thani has accused unnamed parties of seeking to divide Libya into several states, underscoring the situation in east Libya is stable after the army and police units extended control over most areas.
He expressed his government’s readiness to negotiate with the armed militias provided that these militias lay down their arms and leave the capital and other cities and recognise the legitimate parliament and government.
The Libyan premier also told the BBC that Qatar played a major role during the Libyan revolution, calling on it to support stability in his country.
He warned against the large presence of the Islamic State militiamen in several areas in his country, demanding neighbouring countries coordinate security efforts to eliminate the militias, which he says will pose an even greater danger in the future as their numbers increase.
(ST)