UAE urges all Libyan parties commit to political process

DUBAI - The United Arab Emirates called on Thursday on all Libyan parties to commit to the UN-supervised political process to end the war, while at the same time saluting the eastern Libya based-army led by general Khalifa Haftar.

Haftar declared on Monday that his army would take power, ripping up a 2015 political agreement that has been the basis for all international peacemaking efforts.

The UAE "commends the Libyan National Army for conducting anti-terror operations", a statement by the Emirati Foreign Ministry said.

The Ministry expressed its concern over Turkish interference in Arab affairs, particularly in Libya, via the deployment of militants belonging to terrorist organisations in Libyan territory in flagrant violation of UN Security Council resolutions, as well as the smuggling of arms in violation of UN resolutions and Berlin Conference outcomes, resulting in stalled efforts to achieve a ceasefire.

It also noted its categorical rejection of Turkish military intervention, noting that such acts impede the chances of a ceasefire succeeding and hinder international efforts to reach a comprehensive political solution to the Libyan crisis.

The statement expressed the UAE's support for a political solution based on the Berlin conference, calling on "all parties to commit to the political process under the supervision of the United Nations".

Haftar said Wednesday his forces would cease hostilities for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan following international calls for a truce in the war-torn country.

"The commander general announces the halting of military operations from his side," a spokesman for Haftar, who controls swathes of eastern and southern Libya, said from the eastern city of Benghazi.