The Algerian minister for Maghreb and Africa affairs, Abdelkader Messahel, on Tuesday called for an immediate cease-fire in conflict-torn Libya, where rebels were at a tug-of-war with forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Xinhua reported.
Messahel made the appeal at a press conference following a meeting with visiting British Minister for Middle East and North Africa Affairs Alistair Burt.
"I've reiterated the position of Algeria: we endorse an immediate cease fire, as proposed by the African Union in its road map," Messahel told the press. "I've said also that we are for an inter-Libyans dialogue, and the Libyan people should be given the choice to express freely its opinion."
"We believe that political option remain the best remedy for the Libyan crisis," the minister said, stressing that "the use of force would only delay the restoration of stability in this brotherly country, and there will certainly be repercussions on the stability and the security of the region."