Libya solicits support of China, France in its reconstruction

TRIPOLI, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Libya's UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez Serraj on Monday expressed hope for contribution of China and France in the reconstruction of Libya.

"The Presidential Council of the Government looks forward to contribution of both China and France to the reconstruction of Libya," Serraj told Xinhua in an exclusive written interview on Monday.

"As stability of Libya contributes to the stability of the entire region, Libyans will devote themselves to building their country," Serraj said.

French President Emmanuel Macron visited Beijing in January, the first visit by a European leader to China since the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in October.

China and France issued a joint declaration following Macron's visit, in which both sides confirm support of UN mediation led by the UN envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame.

"On Libya, they support the mediation led by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and encourage the various Libyan parties to find an appropriate solution through an inclusive political dialogue," the declaration said.

Both countries also pledged to help fight illegal exports of oil from Libya. "China and France pledge to contribute in particular to the fight against the illicit oil exports from Libya."

"We have friendly and cooperative relations with both China and France. Both countries stressed supportive position of the political agreement through bilateral relations or through the Security Council," Serraj said regarding the joint declaration.

"The initiative of Ghassan Salame, the UN envoy to Libya, has confirmed what we have said that the political agreement is the basis for the success of the political process," Serraj added.

Salame proposed an action plan in September to end the Libyan political crisis, including amendment of the current UN-sponsored political agreement and holding presidential and parliamentary elections.

Libyan authorities struggle to fight smuggling of fuel of all kinds, especially in western Libya, where local smuggling networks, in cooperation with international gangs, smuggle fuel smuggle across the Mediterranean to Italy, Malta and Greece.

Military forces of the government earlier in January launched a military operation against insecurity and smuggling in western Libya and took control of Tunisian border and deployed military units on the road leading to the border. Enditem