Muslim scholar calls for reconciliation in Libya

ISTANBUL

A member of the International Union for Muslim Scholars (IUMS) has called for reconciliation in Libya as a "basic entry point" towards achieving stability in the war-torn country.

"At a time when the international community is taking the responsibility of pushing the Libyan parties to reach an understanding and overcome their differences, the first responsibility lies with the intellectuals and the leaders of society," Ali al-Sallabi told Arabi 21 news website.

The scholar called on all the Libyan sides to “incline towards peace and achieve reconciliation as a basis for any political step to achieve stability in Libya."

Al-Sallabi, himself a Libyan national, urged Libyans to stop "betting on figures that lack legitimacy and do not have the ability to overcome their own differences” for achieving stability.

He warned against the “intentional” and "fatal attempts to disable the Libyan judicial institution,” calling it “the most legitimate” institution in Libya.

Al-Sallabi’s remarks came amid a deadlock following last week’s delayed elections, a stumble for Libya as it is slowly recovering from years of instability.

Last week, Libya’s High National Elections Commission proposed postponing the polls by one month, citing obstacles hindering the holding of timely elections.

On Friday, European countries and the US urged the Libyan authorities to decide on a final date for elections without delay.

Libyan rival parties have been in disagreement over the voting timetable for the presidential and parliamentary elections to be held simultaneously or one after the other.

Libyans hope that the upcoming elections will contribute to ending an armed conflict that has plagued the oil-rich country for years.

*Writing by Ibrahim Mukhtar