Minister of Maghreb Affairs, African Union and the Arab League, Abdelkader Messahel said Monday, in Algiers, that Libya has “extraordinary capacities and that there is a willingness among our Libyan partners” to build their country and keep it united, underlining that the Algerian-Libyan border must really be a bridge between the two countries and a rampart against all threats.
“Libya has extraordinary capacities, an important potential, trained executives, political men and women able to overcome this crisis situation. There is willingness among our Libyan partners to build their country and keep it united,” said Messahel on Channel III of the National Radio.
“It is important that the border really becomes a bridge between the two countries, and also a rampart against all threats against both our countries, while cooperation is in various fields,” added Messahel.
In this regard, he broached training in military and security sectors, underlining that Libya is a country where “everything is to be built.”
“At the border, we share security between the two countries, we have a responsibility on both sides,” said Messahel underlining, in the same regard, the persistence of terrorist threats.
“Today, it is an absolute priority to fight this scourge (terrorism), Libyans themselves and the international community must bring the necessary contribution to face it,” he said.
Broaching his recent visit to Libya where he met with “all the members of the Presidential Council, at its head Fayaz Essaraj,” Messahel said that the Algerian Embassy in Tripoli, which was closed for four years, will be re-opened shortly.
“The building of the diplomatic mission should be redone and there will be a diplomatic presence shortly,” announced Messahel, adding that “whatever the situation, life goes on in that country. Algeria’s presence is essential and our representation will be open in Tripoli.”
The Minister of Maghreb Affairs, African Union and the Arab League recalled that “Algeria was right in 2011 on the threat against this country, drew attention on the bad consequences of a military intervention in Libya as well as the neighboring countries, the Sahel and the Mediterranean.”
In this regard, Messahel said that “the Algerian diplomacy was mobilized for a political solution in Libya, at a time when neighboring countries asked for foreign intervention.”
“Today, everyone agrees on a political solution (…) we also advocated the establishment of a national unity government in Tripoli, which is the case today,” said Messahel.
In addition, Messahel recalled that the first official visit made by Fayaz Essaraj outside of Libya was to Algeria, where he was received by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, underlining that “Libya is a neighboring country with which we share 960 km of borders and a history.”
“Libya tremendously helped us during the Liberation War, we must return the favor and support these people, it is a debt that we owe this country and its people,” said Messahel.
On the same occasion, the minister recalled that he broached, during his visit, “the bilateral relations and the cooperation prospects,” saying that “as soon as the government is permanently installed, we have the priority to develop cross-border zones.”
At the level of institutions, added Messahel, “Libyan officials asked us for help, and Algerian national reconciliation policy also interests them. We put at their disposal documents and materials and we are ready to exchange delegations in order to work together.”
