Algeria, Egypt and Tunisia have joined forces to reject foreign interference in Libya’s internal affairs.

“Foreign interference undermines the country’s political process, prolongs the crisis and threatens security and stability in Libya and neighbouring countries,” a joint statement in support of the political settlement in Libya said.

The statement was issued following a tripartite meeting held yesterday between foreign ministers Sameh Shoukry of Egypt, Khemaies Jhinaoui of Tunisia, and Abdelkader Messahel of Algeria in Algiers. They discussed the latest developments in Libya and prospects for a political solution with an emphasis on preserving Libya’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The ministers also highlighted the international community’s role in facilitating the process, stressing, in particular, the importance of implementing the plan presented by UN special envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame on 10 October 2017. Their objectives also included putting into effect the provisions of the Libyan political agreement signed on 17 December 2015 which aims to build a unified army and security services to safeguard national security and combat terrorism.

READ: Foreign intervention in Libya ‘frustrating progress’

The statement further underscored the need to provide public services to Libyan citizens to alleviate the deteriorating living conditions engendered by the country’s instability.

The ministers called on political parties in Libya to reach a consensus to end the country’s current transitional period and “pave the way for comprehensive national reconciliation”, warning that delays in reaching a solution will cause further escalations and violence.

Plans to continue security coordination have been agreed between the three countries to assess threats posed by terrorist organisations to the security and stability of Libya.

Egypt has previously struck sites in Libya in what Shoukry said was an act of “legitimate self-defence”. His comments came after Cairo ordered its warplanes to strike sites in Libya’s eastern city of Derna in May 2017.