Gargash supports the Libyan ceasefire and the Arab coalition in Yemen

During the opening address of the Seventh Abu Dhabi 2020 Strategic Forum, the United Arab Emirates' minister of state for foreign affairs, Anwar bin Muhammad Gargash, outlined the strategic lines of UAE foreign policy: a new approach to the war in Syria, support for the Arab coalition in Yemen and approval of the ceasefire agreement in Libya. 

At the Libyan level, he stressed Abu Dhabi's support for the United Nations' efforts to settle the crisis in this country and welcomed the ceasefire agreement.

At the end of October the Libyan warring parties meeting in Geneva (Switzerland) agreed on a permanent cessation of hostilities. Through Facebook, the United Nations Mission for Libya (UNSMIL) announced "a permanent ceasefire in all areas of Libya", signed by the military representatives of the main Libyan factions: the Libyan Joint Military Committee (5+5).

The signing of this permanent ceasefire signifies the consolidation of the provisional ceasefire that was announced in August between the Tripoli National Accord Government (NAG) led by Fayez Sarraj and the interim government of the Tobruk House of Representatives, led by Aguila Saleh and a supporter of Khalifa Haftar, marshal of the LNA.

"The 5+5 Joint Military Commission talks in Geneva today culminate in a historic achievement as Libyan teams reach a permanent ceasefire agreement across Libya. This achievement is an important turning point towards peace and stability in the country," says the UN mission's statement.

The head of Emirati diplomacy said that "Iranian weapons continue to enter Yemen and, at the same time, Tehran continues to support terrorist militias". He also denounced that Turkey continues to strengthen its role in Libya with armed groups, "taking advantage of the security vacuum on the ground". For Gargash, the presence of the "Turkish army in Qatar is an element of instability in our region", and on his Twitter account he criticised the statement made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his recent visit to Qatar, in which he said that his armed forces are working to stabilise the Gulf states.

Gargash called for strengthening efforts at the regional level, to achieve stability and security in the region, and also to resolve conflicts peacefully.

And he renewed his country's commitment to seek a peaceful solution to the crises in Yemen, and to continue supporting the Arab coalition, "referring to" efforts for a comprehensive ceasefire there.

In addition, on his Twitter account, Gargash said that "the prolonged Syrian crisis needs a new approach". "The ugliest kind of violence" can no longer continue as a normal part of life, he added. The "Arab approach" to Syria would be in line with the Arab League and other regional agreements.

Syria has been deeply divided, with control of the eastern portion under the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, while the Assad regime controls the centre and Turkey controls the north.