Tunisia calls for Libyan solution as UAE violates arms embargo

Tunisian President Kais Saied has reaffirmed Tunisia’s uncompromising position on Libya’s political crisis.

Speaking at the Carthage Palace with Algerian Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Ahmed Attaf on January 27th, he insisted that any resolution must come solely from Libyans themselves, without foreign involvement, as reported by the Libyan News Agency.

Saied underlined Tunisia’s commitment to Libya’s unity, security and stability. He warned that external interference or attempts to internationalise the issue would only deepen divisions and further obstruct the political process.

Tunisia’s insistence that Libya’s crisis can only be resolved through a Libyan-led process is closely aligned with Algeria’s long-standing position on the issue, underscoring a shared regional approach between the two neighbours.

Algerian officials have consistently argued that sustainable peace depends on inclusive dialogue among Libyans themselves and respect for Libya’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

Earlier in January this year, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune referred to Libya’s political crisis “deep open wound” and stated that foreign interference has only worsened divisions and instability.

Libya remains a battleground for competing foreign agendas, with regional and global powers continuing to fight for influence over Libya’s bisected political landscape. Saudi Arabia and Egypt have urged Khalifa Haftar to stop funnelling UAE-linked military support to the Sudan Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

An internationally sanctioned Russian cargo ship was escorted by a naval warship to the eastern Libyan port of Tobruk, where it unloaded military supplies, as reported by the Libya Gazette on January 26th.

These examples demonstrate the extent of foreign influence within Libya whilst similarly exposing the continuous stream of military equipment into the country, despite the fact that there is a UN-backed arms embargo.

Saied reiterated that Tunisia’s approach, maintained since 2020, is rooted in the belief that dialogue and coordination are essential tools, but not objectives in themselves.

He said such efforts should serve one purpose only: enabling the Libyan people to achieve their legitimate aspirations and determine their future freely and with full sovereignty.

Libyan News Agency, Libya Review, Libya Gazette, Maghrebi.org