Africa

Africa

Libyan authorities urge national dialogue at Tripoli conference

10 December 2011 20:26 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Libya’s interim government called for a national dialogue between all groups in the country on Saturday, after more than eight months conflict in the country, APA reports.

"National reconciliation must not exclude anyone ... It is a bold and courageous move that aims at opening a dialogue with everyone to overcome the past," Premier Abdul Rahim al-Keib told the country’s first national reconciliation conference in the capital, Tripoli.

The conference comes after the conflict between opposition and then-leader Moamer Gaddafi divided the troops and tribes of the country.

"We warn against politicizing the reconciliation to become a tool to isolate or marginalize any tribe, region or a particular family," al-Keib added.

His statement was seen as a signal for those who sided with Gaddafi, or fought with him, that authorities are ready to forgive them.

Disarming militant ex-fighters is one of the greatest challenges facing the interim government as it builds new security forces and tries to promote national reconciliation after a bloody, months-long conflict.

Parliamentary elections are planned for June, after which the new parliament would be tasked with drafting a constitution.