Passive neutrality on Libya ‘meaningless’, House Speaker Rachid Ghannouchi said on Tuesday, adding that a political solution is the safest way to end insecurity and chaos in Libya.
Speaking in an interview with Anadolu Agency, Ghannouchi said “Libya’s neighbours cannot live in carelessness. If there is a fire at your neighbour, you cannot be neutral; extinguishing the fire is a duty and necessity, so passive neutrality makes no sense,”
He pointed out that “We call for positive neutrality by pushing all rivals to a political and peaceful solution … Our vision is that a political solution in Libya is the safest way to overcome insecurity and chaos.”
As for the refusal of some Tunisian opposition parties to his communication – as speaker of parliament – with the internationally recognized Libyan government headed by Fayez al-Sarraj, Ghannouchi stressed that his communication “did not exceed the Tunisian diplomacy rules”.
He emphasized that Tunisia and its President Kais Saied are in contact with the al-Sarraj government “because it is the representative of sovereignty according to international legitimacy”.
“We have previously met Aguila Saleh, representative [head] of the Tobruk Parliament [in eastern Libya], and this was consistent with positive neutrality”.
Ghannouchi emphasised that “what brings us together with Libya is not only interests, even though they are necessary”.
“Values of brotherhood, cooperation, peace and good neighbourliness bring us together with Libya; therefore, we work and communicate according to this vision,” he told the news outlet.
“Those who protest against our communication are the people who suggest an alternative to legitimacy, such as contacting unrecognized organizations, which is harmful to the interests of the Tunisian state and people,” Ghannouchi said.
“There is no independent country that is not affected by its surroundings, and in the Libyan case, Tunisia is directly and deeply affected by what is happening there.”
He continued: “We have long border and trade, economic and social relations with Libya. The Tunisian security and economy are affected by what is happening in this neighboring country.”
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