Libya reiterates its opposition to a Maghreb union that excludes Morocco

Libya reiterated its commitment to the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU). This announcement was made by the First Vice-President of the Libyan Presidential Council, Moussa Al-Kouni, in statements broadcast on the evening news of the Al Aoula channel, following his talks on Saturday, May 4, in Banjul, Gambia, with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.

The official reaffirmed his country's determination to «revitalize the Arab Maghreb Union», an objective which requires «contacts and coordination between all parties» of the AMU. Since the tripartite summit in Tunis on April 22, initiated by Algeria, the Libyan Presidential Council has issued a series of statements confirming its commitment to the values of the AMU, launched in February 1989 in Marrakech.

For the record, on April 23, CPL President Younès Al-Menfi sent a written message to King Mohammed VI to this effect. The following day, the first vice-president met in Rabat with AMU Secretary General Taïeb Baccouche of Tunisia. Al-Menfi also sent a similar written message to the President of Mauritania on April 24.

The talks between Bourita and Al-Kouni took place on the sidelines of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Banjul on May 4 and 5.