Foreign intervention in war-torn Libya must end, Anastasiades tells Paris conference

President Nicos Anastasiades on Friday said Cyprus would do its best to help fulfil the objectives set out the Joint Declaration of the Paris International Conference on Libya, pointing out that foreign intervention in the war-torn country must promptly end.

In his speech at the conference, Anastasiades noted that what is happening in Libya affects first and foremost the Libyan people, but at the same time has a great impact on neighbouring countries and regional stability.

Citing Cyprus’ own experience, Anastasiades said that “coming from a country that faces similar problems of military intervention, violation of international law and neo-colonial approaches” he was fully aligned with the will of the international community to work collectively to end foreign intervention immediately.

Third countries that are destabilising factors, he said, must fully comply with UN resolutions and decisions, such as on the arms embargo, but also respect for the principles and values ​​dictated by international law, the Law of the Sea, and the UN Charter.

Anastasiadis added that a necessary condition for achieving the coveted stability in Libya was the withdrawal of all foreign troops and mercenaries from the country. Holding presidential and parliamentary elections as scheduled was also crucial, he added, “to allow a government with democratic legitimacy to work towards maintaining Libya’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and prosperity.”

He concluded by saying that the Republic of Cyprus, as a neighbouring Mediterranean country and an EU member state “remains committed to assisting – to the best of its ability – in fulfilling the objectives set out in the Joint Declaration of the Paris International Conference on Libya, implementation of which will pave the way to allow the Libyan people to decide their future, free from outside interference.”

Anastasiades took part in the conference following an invitation by French President Emmanuel Macron.

This is the first time Cyprus participated in a conference on Libya, which the government said earlier in the day was “a recognition of the role that our country can play as a pillar of stability and peace in the region.”

World leaders met to discuss the withdrawal of foreign troops and Libya’s political transition in the country, ahead of the December elections.

Participants include US Vice President Kamala Harris, the leaders of France, Germany and Egypt. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also attended the conference. Turkey, that initially said it would not participate in protest over the invitation extended to Greece and Cyprus, sent its deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal. Moscow too sent a lower-level representative.

The conference will push for sanctions against anyone who disrupts Libya’s electoral process and political transition, according to draft conclusions.

On Friday afternoon, Anastasiades was to participate in the proceedings of the 41st session of the General Conference of UNESCO, and attend the dinner hosted by the while a dinner will be given by the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay.

On Thursday, Anastasiades attended the Paris Peace Forum, and a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.

On the sidelines of the Peace Forum, Anastasiades had a bilateral meeting with Serbian Prime Minister, Ana Brnabic, with whom he discussed issues of common interest, such as the developments in the Western Balkans and the accession process of Serbia.