By Sami Zaptia.
London, 12 April 2019:
A declaration by the High Representative Federica Mogherini made yesterday on behalf of the EU on the situation in Libya has called for an immediate ceasefire and for the LNA to withdraw its troops from Tripoli.
The statement said that the military attack launched by the LNA on Tripoli and the subsequent escalation in and around the capital are endangering civilians, including migrants and refugees, and disrupting the UN-led political process, with the risk of serious consequences for Libya and the wider region, including the terrorist threat.
The European Union and its Member States called on all parties to immediately cease all military operations. The LNA and all the forces that have moved into Tripoli or its vicinity must withdraw and the humanitarian truces called by the UN must be heeded. The European Union reminded the parties in this confrontation that they must respect international law, including international humanitarian law, and that those who violate it will be held accountable.
The European Union and its Member States called on their international and regional partners to exert their influence and send the unequivocal message to the parties involved that there is no military solution to the crisis, only a political one. They called for inflammatory rhetoric to cease.
They expressed their concern at the involvement of terrorist and criminal elements in the fighting, including individuals listed by the UN Security Council. They called on Libyan parties to dissociate themselves from these elements, both publicly and on the ground.
They strongly urged all parties to resume political dialogue without delay and continue to engage in the UN-led process for an inclusive political settlement. They will continue to support the efforts of UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ghassan Salamé.
The European Union and its Member States said that they understand that, in the current circumstances, the National Conference had to be postponed and they call for it to be convened as soon as circumstances will allow. They stand ready to support its outcome and to help deliver a peaceful transition in the interest of all Libyans, and chart a path toward credible and peaceful elections as soon as possible, as agreed by the Libyan parties in Paris in May 2018, in Palermo in November 2018 and in Abu Dhabi in February 2019.
