AMU must resolve Western Sahara conflict

Former Libyan Prime Minister and leader of the National Forces Alliance (NFF), Mahmoud Jibril, has told Arabstoday that only an economic agreement under the framework of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) would resolve the Western Sahara conflict, adding that military and political options have failed. Speaking during his recent visit to Rabat, the former Libyan Head of International Affairs said: "I haven't discussed this proposal with anyone, but I feel that we should seriously consider an economic solution to the conflict. "The Magreb countries are unique in their own way and can provide natural and human resources to other Magreb countries. We should build a Maghreb union extending along the African coast, to provide opportunities for investment in Morocco," Jibril explained. The former Libyan PM praised Moroccan authorities and urged Morocco and Libya to strengthen ties across several sectors for mutual benefit. "Morocco can help us rebuild Libya, and Morocco's state structure, including the security institutions and constitutional framework is something Libya can learn from," he said. Jibril met officials from Morocco's National Human Rights Council (NHRC), a body set up to advise the government on human rights abuses, and claimed that his aim was to learn more about Morocco's experiences in coming to terms with past mistakes. The head of the NFF said that Moroccans would enjoy special rights in the new Libya, but raised concerns about the "litigation culture" which has developed in the region. "Foreign companies in Libya are demanding compensation, and this is unfair on the Libyan people, because the companies are operating from outside of Libya," he explained. Jibril's disclosed that his visit to Morocco was delayed due to last week's attack on the French embassy in Tripoli. "I came here [Morocco] to thank people for their support of the February 17 uprising in Libya, which toppled the dictator, and to show my support for Prime Minister [Abdelilah] Benkirane." The former government official said that the deteriorating security situation in Libya is understandable considering Libyans have undergone a struggle for freedom. "Dialogue is the only channel through which bridges can be built between rival political factions," he argued.