Maltese ex-PM calls on two factions in Libya to unite

Malta's former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi urged on Thursday at a conference on Libya the two factions in the north African country to unite.

"I continue to hope that the rival factions understand this is the time to unite against anything threatening dignity and human rights," Dr. Gonzi said.

He also urged Libyans in Malta to embrace the Maltese effort to bring unity instead of division.

Gonzi said divergences between those who were once united against the regime had grown deeper, with extremists profiting from this conflict.

"This is a difficult time for the Libyan people and our hearts go out to them," he said, noting that the will and aspirations for freedom, democracy and rule of law should remain even when terrorists and violence threatened the lives of the majority of peace loving citizens.

The greatest concern, the former Prime Minister added, remained the welfare of Libyan people themselves, referring to recent shocking events including the beheading of 21 Christian Coptics.

These events, together with the issues of immigration and the displacement of people within Libya imposed an urgent need on those representing Libyans to work on the building of strong constitutional institutions to fight criminality and lawlessness.

The international community, especially the European Union must continue to believe that Libya and its people are able to solve their differences and turn their dreams that led to the revolution into reality, he said.

UN's special envoy Bernardino Leon's mission deserved everyone's support. The UN's efforts, Dr Gonzi added, depended on the disposition of all parties to compromise.

Libya has been witnessing frayed political process since the 2011 turmoil, which toppled its former leader Muammar Gaddafi, and it is now juggling two rival parliaments and governments. Endit