Libyan Member of Parliament, Jibril Awheida, has publicly denounced the incident where an incomplete map of the Kingdom of Morocco was displayed during an intelligence conference held in the capital, Tripoli. He emphasized that the actions taken by the government of Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh do not represent Libya or its institutions, as the Libyan government, parliament, and people have consistently upheld their commitment to support Morocco's territorial integrity, maintaining strong historical and fraternal ties that are impervious to such isolated actions.
In a statement to "Assahifa," Awheida asserted that this incident cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader political context, clarifying that what transpired in Tripoli does not reflect the position of the Libyan state. Rather, it represents a specific entity that bears sole responsibility for this behavior and the potential diplomatic repercussions that may follow. He pointed out that the recent United Nations Security Council decision regarding the Sahara issue has clearly reinforced the political path towards a solution that supports Morocco's stance, indicating that, from both a realistic and international perspective, the matter has been resolved in favor of Morocco. As such, any attempt to undermine its territorial integrity or cast doubt upon it today is out of step with the international context and does not contribute to regional stability.
Awheida stressed that Libya, in all its components, is well aware of Morocco's map, respects its sovereignty and territorial unity as part of honoring international legitimacy and ensuring the region's stability. He declared that the events at this conference should be considered an isolated act that does not reflect the will of the Libyan people or their elected institutions. He did not hesitate to criticize the organizing body of the conference, asserting that the so-called "damned government" bears full responsibility for this act and the audacity to infringe upon Morocco's sovereignty. He underscored that they represent only themselves and those behind them, as this behavior is absolutely unacceptable and cannot be justified under any pretext, whether protocol-based or technical.
Awheida emphasized that Moroccan-Libyan relations are too significant to be affected by such incidents, calling for a clear correction of this error and for avoiding the recurrence of such signals that compromise the constants of brotherly states, particularly in a regional context that necessitates enhancing coordination and cooperation rather than fueling tensions. Previously, Awheida urged Algerian authorities through "Assahifa" to reconsider their position on the conflict, arguing that the current phase demands a preference for dialogue and a positive engagement with Morocco's goodwill.
He reiterated that Algeria's continuation of its current approach would not serve it internally or regionally, especially given the financial, political, and military drain associated with the conflict, which has consumed substantial resources that could have been directed towards development, improving services, and enhancing social stability. Awheida stated that the public interest of the countries in the region today necessitates a shift from a policy of alignment and escalation to a rational approach based on cooperation. He added that isolation and the stalling of dialogue open the door for external powers to exploit the tension, particularly at a time when the Arab region is experiencing fragility, from Libya to Yemen and from the Sahel to the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Libyan parliamentarian also highlighted the Maghreb dimension of the conflict, asserting that the ongoing disagreement between Algeria and Morocco deepens division within the region and weakens its collective capacity to confront security and economic threats. In this context, he called for the creation of a new Maghreb dynamic that reconnects the countries of the region economically, politically, and security-wise, considering it a necessary condition to thwart the dangerous conspiracies facing the Arab region.
Awheida believes that activating autonomy in the Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty could pave the way for a new chapter in Maghreb relations and lay the foundations for a long-overdue regional integration project, despite the tremendous human and economic potential that the Greater Maghreb possesses. He affirmed that the recent UN resolution is not only a culmination of the Moroccan path but also an opportunity for all parties to realign their political calculations and return to the logic of shared interests.
He argued that practically resolving the conflict would contribute to redefining the balance of power in the region, providing a more stable environment for trade growth, expanding investments, and improving security cooperation, which has become a necessity rather than an option. Jibril Awheida stressed that the upcoming phase requires "genuine political will," reiterating that the issue can no longer tolerate further ideological exploitation, as the Maghreb peoples yearn for a breakthrough that would lift the region from stagnation and open up a common path for development and peace.
The Tripoli conference was held under the banner of enhancing security coordination between Sahel and Mediterranean countries, featuring high-ranking military and security officials from several European and regional nations, including Italy, France, Spain, Greece, alongside Turkey, Algeria, and Tunisia. The meeting was dedicated to discussing shared challenges related to terrorism, irregular migration, and organized crime. However, the incident concerning the display of Morocco's incomplete map overshadowed its outcomes, igniting a wide discussion regarding the nature of the messages conveyed within such platforms.
Notably, Morocco was absent from this conference, despite being considered a pivotal player in regional security equations. This absence is particularly striking given the role Rabat plays in counter-terrorism, migration, and security coordination in the Sahel region, raising additional questions about the background and implications of this absence within the context of organizing this event, alongside the organizers' deliberate use of an incomplete map of Morocco.
These developments bring to the forefront the issue of the overlap between security and politics within multilateral spaces, where certain symbols, such as maps and geographical representations, become indirect expressions of positions or alignments at a time when such meetings should remain technical platforms aimed at unifying efforts to address common challenges.
As reported by assahifa.com.
