Libya's National Dialogue Meets with Tunisian President and Leaders to Gather Insights on Dialogue

LONDON, May 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Senior Tunisian politicians from across the political spectrum will today share their experience of Dialogue with members of Libya's National Dialogue Preparatory Commission. The Tunisian President, Moncef Marzouki, will meet with Fadeel Lameen, Chairman of the Preparatory Commission, and Saleh Algazal, a Commission member and former prisoner of conscience.

The discussions in Tunis, which will include meetings with former Prime Minister Beji Caid el Sebsi, Hassine Abbassi, leader of the Tunisian General Labour Union, and Rashed Ghannouchi, leader of the Ennahda Party, follow on from an offer of expertise from the Tunisians to the Libyan National Dialogue last month. Members of the National Dialogue Preparatory Commission have been holding meetings with senior figures from around the Arab world who have been involved in successful Dialogue initiatives, including Yemen, where the National Dialogue has been vital in stabilising the country.

Drawing on the best practices of other countries that have held successful National Dialogues, the Preparatory Commission is in the final stages of planning for the Libyan National Dialogue, which will be appropriate to the country and its challenges.

Mr Lameen said, "Every National Dialogue is different. The issues that each country faces is unique, and it is important to understand the successes and shortcomings of other dialogue processes, so we can create for the Libyan people the most appropriate model, with the best chance of success.

"The international community has been extremely helpful in ensuring that we meet with experts from the Yemeni Dialogue, South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and now the Tunisians. Tunisia has been an outstanding example of what can be achieved when problems are tackled on the basis of consensus rather than division.

"By meeting with Tunisian leaders from across the political spectrum, including senior members of both Nidaa Tounes and Ennahda, we will gain new perspectives from both sides on how to approach problems on a consensual basis and build unity, rather than allow differences of opinion to stymie progress."

Mr Algazal said, "The National Dialogue will be critical to stabilising Libya and will bring a fresh approach to the challenges that we face. We have already made excellent progress, completing the National Engagement and Participation Tour, and announcing the segments of society to be represented at the National Conference.

"We are now finalising our plans and will shortly be announcing dates for the start of the National Dialogue Conference. The Tunisians have a great deal to offer in terms of experience, and we will be benefitting from their insights as we proceed."

NOTES TO EDITORS

The first phase of the Dialogue is lasting three months and is a chance for every citizen to share his or her views at events around the country and via a multiple mediums. It will include a formal discussion in which a representative group of 300 delegates will draft a National Charter.

The dialogue will go on to serve as a process for building consensus around issues of national significance such as security, reconciliation, transitional justice and development.

The National Dialogue Preparatory Commission is a group of volunteers working together to build a framework through which national consensus and unity will be established.

In keeping with the independence of the National Dialogue process, each member of the Preparatory Commission is not aligned with any political parties or specific factions. Each member has agreed to carry out his or her work setting up the Dialogue without compensation, and each has pledged not to seek or accept a seat at the table when the drafting of the National Charter formally begins.

For more information and high resolution photographs of events, please visit the NDPC website at http://www.ndpc.ly or the Commission's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ndpc.ly

To contact the press office, please email [email protected]

SOURCE National Dialogue Preparatory Commission