TRIPOLI, July 5 (Xinhua) -- The National Gathering of Libyan Parties on Sunday rejected what it described as foreign interference in the country's political process, stressing that any political settlement should stem from the will of the Libyan people and lead to presidential and parliamentary elections.
In a statement, the coalition said it was following with "deep concern and condemnation" political consultations and movements taking place outside Libya regarding the country's political future, arguing that such efforts are conducted without national consensus and seek to entrench de facto authorities and prolong Libya's transitional period.
It rejected an initiative proposed by Massad Boulos, the U.S. president's senior adviser for Africa, as well as the visit and political maneuvers associated with it, saying they constitute interference in Libya's internal affairs and undermine the Libyan people's right to determine their own future.
It reaffirmed that ending the transitional phases through free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections, based on a consensual constitutional framework, remains the only viable path to resolving Libya's political crisis, while ensuring the participation of all political forces, particularly political parties, in shaping the country's future.
The National Gathering of Libyan Parties, a political alliance comprising 24 political parties, aims to coordinate the positions of its member parties, strengthen their participation in the political process, promote an end to the country's political deadlock, and advocate elections as the means to conclude Libya's prolonged transitional period. ■