Tebboune defends the "international legitimacy" of Dbeibé's government
Algeria is once again taking a stand on Libyan politics. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has once again shown his support for the government led by Abdelhamid Dbeibé and recently dismissed by the Libyan parliament. For Tebboune, the political group would have "international legitimacy", which is why they condemn the appointment of Fazi Bashaga to remove him from office.
Despite his dismissal, Dbeibé refused to relinquish his post as prime minister and indicated that he would only hand over power to a candidate democratically elected at the ballot box, thus creating further political deadlock. It should be added that Dbeibé has the international support of both Turkey and the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood.
In an interview he reportedly gave to local media, the Algerian president indicated that the Dbeibo government had asked Algiers to organise an international conference on the country, something that Algeria "would be studying". To this, Tebboune added that they would "host" the event if there were "signs of success". However, he declared that if the conference was to become a centre of dispute between the "Arab brothers" they would not accept it.
He went on to say that Algeria's position on the conflict in Libya "contradicts some positions following the change of government", referring to the parliament's appointment of Fathi Bashagha as prime minister. Tebboune reiterated that "it is the Dabaibé government that has international legitimacy, and therefore Algeria's support".
To this the president added that there will be no solution to the Libyan conflict "without referring to the people, because currently representation is relative", thus warning of the need to "go to parliamentary elections in which the House of Representatives will be elected by the Libyans".
Just a few days ago, the prime minister of the Libyan government paid an official visit to Algeria, during which he reportedly discussed the course of the elections in Libya, as well as increased economic cooperation in the energy sector.
After the meeting with Tebboune, Dbeibé said in a statement what course the democratic process had taken, noting that 'we presented our vision for the completion of this project', namely 'the transition in Libya to stability, and the choice of the Libyan people, as well as the important role of Algeria in it and the need to implement it as soon as possible'.
In these statements Tebboune has not only addressed Libya. The Spanish government's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara has turned Spain's position on its former colony on its head, a decision that has been harshly criticised by Algeria.
The Algerian president affirmed that Madrid's new arrangement "is immoral and historically unacceptable". He stressed that his relations with the Spanish state are good, but "your Prime Minister (Pedro Sánchez) has spoiled them with his recent decision. Spain is obliged to review itself and apply international law on the Sahara issue". However, he stressed that "Algeria will not abandon its commitment to supply gas to Spain, whatever the circumstances".
