French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian reiterated his country’s support for the Government of National Accord and the UN road map and stressed their keenness to achieve security and stability in Libya.
Le Drian agreed with the President of the Presidential Council, Fayez Al-Sarraj, during their meeting in Tripoli on Thursday to increase cooperation and coordination in order to track smugglers inside and outside Libya and to support the airlifting of illegal immigrants out of Libya. Le Drian pointed out the possibility of persuading the countries of origin to receive their citizens and to find a solution to the migrant crisis in a comprehensive manner.
On the other hand, Al-Sarraj explained that the Libyans are victims of the migrant crisis and that the responsibility for confronting this phenomenon lies with all parties. He called on France to contribute and support the security services in order to secure and monitor the borders of southern Libya.
Al-Sarraj expressed his willingness to accept the agreement of the House of Representatives and the Supreme Council of the State, stressing his support for the efforts of the UN envoy Ghassan Salame. He also added that the GNA is continuing to prepare for the elections next year.
Following his meeting with Al-Sarraj, Le Drian met with Khalifa Haftar, the Commander of Operation Dignity. Le Drian told Haftar that he should respect the UN-sponsored peace process in Libya. In a press release following the meeting in Benghazi, Le Drian told reporters that he “told Hafter that there is no alternative to the UN plan, and [that he] must put [himself] at the service of [his] country”, according to Reuters.
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