Morocco pledges support for Libya's new national unity gov't

Morocco on Tuesday pledged its support for the new Libyan national unity government, deeming its formation as an "encouraging step forward" in the process of implementing a UN-brokered deal.

In a statement, the Moroccan Foreign Ministry urged the Libyan parliament to get positively engaged in implementing this step in order to preserve the spirit of consensus and reach a democratic transition to establish an institution-based state that guarantees Libya's unity, sovereignty, security and stability.

It called on "all the Libyan parties to consider the gravity of the delicate phase Libya is going through in the light of the huge challenges this brotherly Maghreb country is facing," the statement added.

Morocco, which has always supported a political solution to the Libyan crisis, hopes that this fundamental step will contribute to strengthening the state's capabilities to face the growing terrorist threat in the North African country and put an end to the political division, it said.

It also reiterated its support and solidarity with the Libyan people to achieve their legitimate aspirations for stability, peace, democracy and prosperity, adding that it is ready to carry on providing the necessary help to Libyan national unity government to complete this process.

On Monday, the Libyan Presidential Council approved an 18-member cabinet that includes three women for a unity government in a bid to end the chaos that has been gripping the country since 2011. Endit