Cairo Declaration Initiative on Libya

Statement by President El-Sisi at the press conference with Aguila Saleh and Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar

At the very beginning, I would like to thank Speaker of the Libyan House of Representatives Counselor Aguila Saleh and Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Armed Forces Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar for coming to Cairo. I also welcome the ambassadors and representatives of countries concerned with the Libyan crisis.

I address my speech today to the entire world, and I sincerely say that these two Libyan leaders have proved, over the course of their meetings in Cairo during the previous days, their firm desire to meet the will of the Libyan people, which is represented in restoring stability in Libya, and safeguarding the sovereignty, unity and independence of Libya against anyone whoever they were. They have proved that they keep in mind the interests of Libya and its people; the Libyan national interest which comes before and above all considerations.

These two leaders have shown responsibility and patriotic attitude that resulted, with the help of Allah, in reaching a joint and comprehensive political initiative meant to put an end to the conflict in Libya. That moment is one of the important moments that I have always looked for in the past years, the moment when an initiative is announced. If everyone’s intentions are sincere and honest, this will be the beginning of a new stage towards the return of normal and safe life to Libya. I am very proud to announce the Libyan initiative from Egypt, which showed sincere movements throughout the past years with the aim of ending the suffering of the Libyan people and restore security and stability to all Libyan territories.

Distinguished News,

This meeting gains special importance in light of the recent developments in Libya in addition to the international interactions on the Libyan file. In this context, I would like to stress that the seriousness of the current critical situation in Libya has security repercussions not only inside Libya, but in the neighboring countries, regionally and internationally as well.

What makes us worry during the current period is the practices of some parties in Libya despite the efforts exerted by many countries concerned with the Libyan affairs in the past years to reach an appropriate solution for the crisis. I am interested to warn against insistence of any party on continuation of searching for a military solution.

I also affirm that Egypt is following up closely all field developments in Libya in coordination with the Libyan brothers, and Egypt totally rejects all sorts of escalation that would further complicate the Libyan scene and warn dire consequences in the entire region.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Stability in Libya cannot be achieved without drawing a way for peaceful settlement of the crisis. This means should guarantee the unity and integrity of the national institutions to be able to shoulder their responsibilities towards the Libyan people, and allow them, at the same time, to provide a fair and transparent distribution of the Libyan wealth to all citizens, and keep the properties away of the hands of those who use them against the Libyan state.

Out of Egypt’s keenness to achieve the political and security stability of the Libyan state, as the stability of Libya is part and parcel of Egypt's stability, and within the framework of the special relations that bind the two countries. The Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Armed Forces Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and the Speaker of the Libyan House of Representatives Counselor "Aguila Saleh" are invited for a meeting held in Cairo to tackle the latest developments in Libya. All parties welcomed the invitation.

During the meeting, the Libyan leaders agreed on launching the Cairo Declaration including a Libyan-Libyan initiative as a base for solving the crisis in Libya within the framework of United Nations resolutions and the previous steps taken in "Paris", "Rome", "Abu Dhabi", and finally in "Berlin".
I would also like to point out that this initiative calls for respecting all efforts and international initiatives by declaring a ceasefire starting from 8/6/2020. It also obliges all foreign parties to withdraw foreign mercenaries from all Libyan territories, dismantle militias and hand over their weapons, to allow the National Libyan Army (NLA) to cooperate with the security bodies to carry out their military duty and security responsibilities and tasks in the country.

Besides completing the work of the 5+5 Libyan Joint Military Commission in Geneva sponsored by the UN. The initiative also includes resolving the crisis through integrated paths on the political, security and economic levels.

I would also like to point out that this initiative calls for respecting all efforts and international initiatives by declaring a ceasefire starting from 8/6/2020.
It also obliges all foreign parties to withdraw foreign mercenaries from all Libyan territories, dismantle militias and hand over their weapons for allowing the National Libyan Army (NLA) to cooperate with the security bodies to carry out their military duty and security responsibilities and tasks in the country. Besides, the work of the 5+5 Libyan Joint Military Commission shall be completed in Geneva, which is sponsored by the UN. The initiative also includes resolving the crisis through integrated paths on the political, security and economic levels.

The initiative also aims to ensure a fair representation of Libya’s three provinces through a presidential council elected by the nation under a UN supervision for governance in the country for the first time in the country’s history. Hence, it would also be a starting point to unify Libyan institutions to allow them to carry out their duties and ensure a fair and transparent distribution of Libyan resources to all citizens. Additionally, a constitutional declaration shall be adopted which governs the upcoming period and the political and electoral entitlements.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the end of my speech, I’d like to confirm that Egypt looks forward to receiving support from all countries and regional and international powers for this constructive step to end the Libyan crisis with the aim of returning Libya to the international community strongly. In the same context, I also call on the United Nations to shoulder its responsibilities concerning inviting representatives of the eastern region, the Government of National Accord and all the Libyan parties, including representatives of the Libyan political and social forces, to discuss the file at the United Nations headquarters in "Geneva" at a later time to be determined so as to advance the political process again. The discussion should be attended by representatives of the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), the Arab League (AL), neighboring countries to Libya, and all international and regional powers concerned with the Libyan affairs.