Egyptian summit calls for end to violence in Libya

By Hamdi Yildiz</p> <p> <p>CAIRO (AA) – A summit held in Egypt’s capital Tuesday to discuss the political and security situation in Libya called on the warring parties to reach a truce and launch negotiations.</p> <p> <p>In the summit’s closing declaration, Libya's UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) and forces led by commander Khalifa Haftar were urged to stop fighting.</p> <p> <p>The declaration stressed that the chaos created by armed militias had to be ended and only the country’s armed forces and regular police force should possess weapons.</p> <p> <p>Notably, it said the crisis in Libya has affected African countries the most and they wanted a political solution.</p> <p> <p>The summit was attended by high-level representatives from Egypt, Rwanda, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo.</p> <p> <p>Libya has remained beset by turmoil since long-serving leader Muammar Gaddafi was ousted and killed in a bloody NATO-backed uprising in 2011.</p> <p> <p>Since then, the country has seen the emergence of two rival seats of power: one in eastern Libya, to which Haftar is affiliated, and another in Tripoli, which enjoys UN recognition. </p> <p>*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas