Algerian, Tunisian FMs discuss Libyan crisis

Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra and his Tunisian counterpart, Tayeb Baccouche, expressed Thursday, in Algiers, their wish to see Libya overcome the ordeal it is going through and preserve its national and territorial unity.

Algeria “is searching for a solution to the crisis in Libya and is dealing with all Libyan parties,” Lamamra told a news conference held jointly with the Tunisian Foreign minister.

He cited visits paid by some Libyan officials to Algeria, such as the speaker of the elected Libyan Parliament and the participation of many Libyan political representatives in the meeting of Algiers held in the past couple of days.

In reply to a question about the position of Algerian and Tunisian governments over the issue of legitimacy in Libya, Lamamra said “Algeria recognizes as such (legitimate) States and not Governments.”

The minister pointed out that Algeria, as part of the group of Libyan neighbour countries, had been commissioned to ensure security coordination with all those neighbouring countries.

Contacts do exist between those countries and the different players in Libya, except the terrorist groups, he added.