Arab League Head Says Fighting In Libya Makes Political Process Impossible

Arab League Head Says Fighting in Libya Makes Political Process Impossible

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th April, 2019) Political process cannot start in Libya as long as fighting goes on, the secretary general of the Arab League told Sputnik on Tuesday.

"Amid such events when weapons are used political and diplomatic process stops," Ahmed Aboul Gheit said.

Libya has been split between two administrations since 2011. The latest flare-up began on April 4 when eastern-based commander Khalifa Haftar ordered his forces to march on the Libyan capital of Tripoli to take it from what he called terrorists.

"I think that the UN is in charge of the peace process in Libya and is in contact with both warring parties to try and deescalate [the crisis]... This will open the way for a conference," Gheit added.

The United Nations' special envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame, said last week that there would be no peace conference as long as violence continues in the country. It was initially expected to be held in the town of Ghadames on April 14.