03:26Austria: Van der Bellen and Al-Sarraj talk migration, Libyan stability
Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen said that a strengthening of Libya's national institutions is necessary and in the interest of Austria and the European Union, during a press-conference alongside Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya Fayez Al-Sarraj in Vienna on Monday.
"It is in the interest of both Austria and the European Union that the stability of Libya is guaranteed through democratic institutions, through functioning security structures and above all through transparency and the rule of law," Van der Bellen said.
Van der Bellen went on to say that this would also benefit refugees and migrants, both from within Libya and those travelling through Libya en-route to Europe.
"We know that the situation in the camps can be described as - and I'm expressing it quite mildly - anything but satisfactory, I believe that we and Mr. President Al-Sarraj agree that the living conditions of women, children and men in these camps must be improved swiftly," he added.
Al-Sarraj noted that he explained to the Austrian President "the support of the Libyan national unity government to the UN envoy's initiative of Mr. Ghassan Salame, which considers organizing elections under the constitution."
"I've confirmed my own vision about elections and I consider it as the only outcome to the actual crisis," Al-Sarraj added.
Earlier today, Al-Sarraj also held an official meeting and a joint presser with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.
03:26Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen said that a strengthening of Libya's national institutions is necessary and in the interest of Austria and the European Union, during a press-conference alongside Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya Fayez Al-Sarraj in Vienna on Monday.
"It is in the interest of both Austria and the European Union that the stability of Libya is guaranteed through democratic institutions, through functioning security structures and above all through transparency and the rule of law," Van der Bellen said.
Van der Bellen went on to say that this would also benefit refugees and migrants, both from within Libya and those travelling through Libya en-route to Europe.
"We know that the situation in the camps can be described as - and I'm expressing it quite mildly - anything but satisfactory, I believe that we and Mr. President Al-Sarraj agree that the living conditions of women, children and men in these camps must be improved swiftly," he added.
Al-Sarraj noted that he explained to the Austrian President "the support of the Libyan national unity government to the UN envoy's initiative of Mr. Ghassan Salame, which considers organizing elections under the constitution."
"I've confirmed my own vision about elections and I consider it as the only outcome to the actual crisis," Al-Sarraj added.
Earlier today, Al-Sarraj also held an official meeting and a joint presser with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.