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By Libya Herald staff.
Tripoli, 21 October 2014:
The EU has said that it is ready to implement UN sanctions “in order to address . . .[restrict]threats to Libya’s peace and stability,” following a meeting of its Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg yesterday.
The Council said “those responsible for violence and those who obstruct or undermine Libya’s democratic transition must be held accountable” and amended the EU’s restrictive measures to take account of changes approved at the UN.
These included extending criteria for travel restrictions and asset freezes as well as an amendment of the arms embargo. The UN had extended sanctions in the face of increased violence in Tripoli and Benghazi in August but, as yet, no sanctions have been handed down to any individuals.
EU member states condemned ongoing violence in Libya demanding that all parties “urgently observe an unconditional ceasefire” and adding that there could be no military solution to the conflict. “Only a political solution can provide a sustainable way forward and contribute to peace and stability in Libya,” the EU Council claimed.
It said it fully supported the work of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and its head Bernardino Leon to secure peace talks.
The Council also called on the country to unite in the fight against terrorism. “Libya’s hard fought freedom is at risk if Libyan and international terrorist groups are allowed to use Libya as a safe haven,” it said. [/restrict]
