Rabat – The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, has commended Morocco’s efforts contributing to the UN-led political process to end the dispute in Libya.
Bathily made his remarks during a press conference following his meeting with Morocco’s chief diplomat Nasser Bourita in Rabat on Monday.
During the press conference, Bathily expressed “satisfaction to be here in Rabat” and with his meeting with Bourita.
“We have a common desire to contribute to restoring peace and stability in Libya,” the UN envoy said.
Bathily also renewed the UN’s commitment to continue to support Libyans to find a solution to their country’s crisis, stressing the importance of re-establishing stability and legitimacy within Libyan institutions.
“Libya has numerous resources that would help create the condition of prosperity in the country,” he said.
Moroccan mediation in Libya
Bathily also cited Morocco’s efforts in actively supporting the UN-led political process by convening rival Libyan factions around the negotiating table in hopes of brokering a compromise-based political solution to Libyans’ long-running plight.
Morocco has hosted several dialogue meetings, bringing together officials from the parliament and the High State Council to discuss a possible consensus on how to best end the Libyan crisis.
In his comments, Bathily drew attention to Morocco’s mediation efforts by recalling dialogue meetings held in Bouznika and Tangier between 2020 and 2022.
Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita meeting with UN envoy Abdoulaye Bathily
Libya has since 2014 been facing several challenges – including a security-related crisis as well as obstacles hampering the holding of a general election.
In particular, the oil-rich country is now run by two rival governments.
Bathily emphasized the need to intensify dialogue between the rival governments. He reassured them that his discussions with partners within the international community – including Morocco – point to a mutual commitment to support for the UN-led political process to end the Libyan crisis.
Welcoming Bathily in Morocco, Bourita re-extended Rabat’s congratulations to the UN official on his appointment to lead the UN’s mediation efforts in Libya.
“We are happy that Bathily is in charge of the Libya file as he has a long experience within the UN,” Bourita said, recalling that the UN official has served as the UN point man in several security hot spots across Africa.
Bathily, who has under his belt over 40 years of experience as a senior government official in Senegal, as well as an academic and a leader in regional organizations and the United Nations system, was appointed to lead the UN’s Libyan dossier in September 2022.
Prior to this appointment, the Senegalese diplomat’s most recent assignment within the UN was as the Independent Expert for the strategic review of UNSMIL in 2021.
Libya needs elections
Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita speaking during the press conference following his meeting with UN envoy Abdoulaye Bathily
Commenting on the situation in Libya, Bourita took issue with the many obstacles still hindering the Libyan peace process.
Only elections can solve the crisis in the country, Bourita emphasized, noting Morocco’s unchanged commitment to support dialogue between the rival Libyan factions.
“Morocco is supporting the territorial integrity of Libya and the solution to the dispute should be based on respecting the country’s integrity and sovereignty,” he said.
As well as renewing Morocco’s support for an inter-Libyan dialogue, Bourita reiterated the kingdom’s rejection of any foreign interference in the Libyan conflict.
He also reassured Libyans that Morocco will continue to contribute to the UN-led political process, stressing that the country will never take a biased position in the Libyan dossier.
The chief of Moroccan diplomacy ended his comments by pledging Rabat’s unwavering support of the UN-led political process. Morocco seeks to upgrade its contributions to the process to see Libyans enjoying legitimate rights, prosperity, and peace without foreign interference, he vowed.
