Robert Abela Calls For Withdrawal Of ‘Foreign Fighters’ From Libya At The UN General Assembly
Prime Minister Robert Abela called for the withdrawal of “foreign forces, fighters, and mercenaries” from Libya, during his address at the United Nations General Assembly.
Abela’s 30-minute long speech touched upon several key problems dominating the global agenda, some new and others persisting. One of the latter is the crisis in Malta’s neighbour – Libya – which has been facing an institutional crisis since 2011 – when its former leader, Muammar Gaddafi, was killed while he was being targeted by NATO.
The country has struggled to build effective governing institutions, and internal violence has become widespread. External forces have unsuccessfully attempted to impose a resolution, and Abela is urging that such a process must be Libyan-led and Libyan-owned.
“A resolution would benefit the region and its neighbours. Only with a government supported by its citizens across the country can Libya play its full part in addressing the migrant crisis,” he said.
He also welcomed the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Malta’s behalf, saying that bringing the parties together “will hopefully end the crisis and kickstart the wider political process.”
The Prime Minister emphasised Malta’s important role in supporting the resolution of the Libyan crisis, describing the island as an “honest broker” committed to doing whatever it can to aid a solution.
“From hosting peace talks to brokering difficult dialogues, we aim to leverage our position to bring those in conflict together, to at least try and find a way forward,” he said.
Abela reiterated the need for full enforcement of the Libyan arms embargo, in line with all UN Security Council resolutions, which prohibit the direct and indirect supply of arms to the country.
In his address, he also referenced the crisis in Gaza and the recent destructive escalation of tensions between Lebanon and Israel.
He expressed pride in Malta’s contributions to the global effort to “relieve humanitarian suffering in Gaza,” mentioning Resolution 2712, drafted by Malta, and Resolution 2728, which the island nation “played a key role” in securing.
“The conflict in Gaza has expanded into a dangerous situation in Lebanon – we must take decisive steps before it is too late,” he urged, reminding the international community not to lose sight of other conflicts raging across the region.
Abela then shifted from the topic of security and peace—which he said is only achievable through widespread equality—to climate change. He emphasised the impact that rising sea levels and warming temperatures are having on Malta.
“We, small island nations, are among the lowest emitters of greenhouse gases, yet we are on the frontline of the climate emergency.”
Watch his full speech here.
Do you think there can be an end to the institutional crisis in Libya? If so, what will it take?
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