ADDIS ABABA, April 6 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) on Friday reiterated the necessity of a Libyan-owned and led process towards creating a new political dispensation in the war-torn nation.
The pan African bloc made the statement following the visit of the AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat to the war-torn North African nation earlier this week, the AU said in a statement on Friday.
Faki made the remarks during his meeting with Fayez Mustafa al-Sarraj, Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya and Prime Minister of the government of the National Accord, according to the AU.
The AU chairperson "emphasized the guiding principles of the AU approach, mainly the necessity of a Libyan-owned and led process towards creating a new political dispensation in the country, in support of the UN-led initiative," the AU statement read.
Faki also "renewed appeal to all external actors to refrain from interference in the internal affairs of Libya."
He further stressed "the continued readiness and commitment of the AU to fully cooperate with the UN and other partners to support the Libyan people achieve peace, reconciliation and development."
Al-Sarraj also expressed support to the AU's initiative to hold a National Reconciliation Conference in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia in July 2019, in support of the national dialogue process led by the UN.
Al-Sarraj further expressed his readiness to co-establish a preparatory mechanism to ensure the success of the Conference, the AU said.
The AU chairperson held talks with a delegation of members of the High Council of State led by Khalid Al-Mishri.
"The members of the High Council of State shared their views on the impasse in Libya and appealed to the AU to actively contribute to the search for a durable and peaceful solution. They assured the Chairperson of their support to the AU initiative," the AU statement read.
Faki also in Benghazi met with the Libyan National Army Commander Khalila Haftar.
According to the AU, Faki and Haftar exchanged on ways and means to promote peace and reconciliation in Libya, reinforce its national institutions and achieve unity.
"They agreed to cooperate in the preparations of the AU-led National Conference on Reconciliation to be held in Addis Ababa in July 2019," the statement read.
The AU chairperson was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Smail Chergui, and the Commissioner of Social Affairs, Amiral El Fadil, and other senior officials of the commission.
