Emirati Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah bin Zayed and his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian on Friday affirmed their support to the Egyptian initiative to end the crisis in Libya, Emirati News Agency (WAM) reported.

In June, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi announced Egypt’s plan for a ceasefire in Libya, beginning June 8, after a tripartite meeting with the commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalifa Haftar and Speaker of Libyan Parliament Aguila Saleh. Sisi said that the political initiative, also known as the “Cairo Declaration”, would pave the way for a return to normal life in Libya.

The statement published by WAM noted that France and the UAE support the Cairo Declaration that rejects the Turkish interference in the Libyan affairs, which can thwart the efforts of the international community to reach a peaceful solution to the crisis.

In a phone call, Abdullah bin Zayed and Le Drian affirmed backing efforts to reach a political solution to the Libyan crisis as the only solution to achieve security and stability in the country and protect its territorial integrity.

The ministers also discussed updates of regional and international issues of mutual concern including Syria and ways to enhance security in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

They also discussed the efforts both countries exert to face the novel coronavirus and hailed the strategic relations between France and the UAE.

France’s Macron welcomes Cairo Declaration on Libya during phone call with Sisi

Sisi called for ceasefire in the war-torn country on June 6. Under the guidelines of the ceasefire, all foreign fighters must withdraw from Libya, he noted.

For his part, Field Marshal Haftar said that the Turkish intervention in the Libyan conflict reinforced the aggravation of the situation in Libya and threatens stability.

Haftar pointed out that the whole world is witnessing Turkey's support for terrorism and the transfer of terrorist elements from one place to another in the Middle East and North Africa, which further complicates the solution to the Libyan crisis. Haftar emphasized Libya's unity and territorial integrity and the elimination of terrorist groups classified by Security Council resolutions, as well as calling for a Libyan dialogue immediately with the participation of all segments of the people.

For his part, the Libyan Speaker of Parliament said that the Libyan National Army (LNA) abided by the humanitarian truce, but the Al-Wefaq government headed by Fayez al-Sarraj did not abide by it.

Saleh stressed that when the army moved to Tripoli, it was aimed at fighting terrorists, not targeting civilians.