The European Union (EU) and its member states deplored the escalation of fighting in Libya despite international calls for a humanitarian truce to contain the pandemic coronavirus in the country.
According to the statement of the EU High Representative Josep Borrell, Libyan parties were urged to stop the fighting in Tripoli and throughout the country. The statement also condemned any attack on the civilian population.
“We urge all Libyan parties concerned to stop the fighting immediately and to engage in a political solution to resolve the conflict,” Borrell said.
The leadership of the parties were called to abide by the draft ceasefire agreement of the Geneva talks’ Joint Military Commission (“the 5 + 5″), which has been facilitated by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, and which states that priority must be given at the moment for ways to contain the spread of coronavirus.
The EU also condemned the use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes and called on all Libyan parties to respect human rights and international law.
The European Union urged in its statement to also respect the ceasefire truce to protect the Libyan population and the most vulnerable groups in the country, including displaced Libyans as well as migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
The European Union strongly praised the Libyan health authorities’ effort for helping Libyan citizens and protecting health workers at all times.
“We call once again on all member states of the United Nations (UN) to respect and support the arms embargo imposed by the United Nations to stop the flow of foreign fighters to Libya, and to refrain from acts of sabotage that undermine stability and security and exacerbate the deteriorating situation in the country”, the statement added.
All Libyan parties must be engaged constructively in the intra-Libyan talks to reach an agreement on the implementation of urgent economic and financial measures, including the review of the Central Bank of Libya and the accounts of its branch in the east of the country.
Regarding Libyan oil resources, the EU High Representative urged to protect its infrastructure in full compliance with the UN Security Council resolutions. He also said that oil production should urgently be resumed under the auspices of the National Oil Corporation and should be distributed fairly in all Libyan regions and for the benefit of all Libyans.
The European Union and member states expressed their full commitment to support the Berlin process and mediation efforts led by the United Nations. They also expressed their readiness to set all the necessary tools to ensure the full implementation of the Berlin Conference through the European Maritime Operation in the Mediterranean (IRINI Operation).
Josep Borrell praised the important role of neighbouring countries and regional organisations in following up on the Berlin process. Through this, such countries and organisatons also assert their full support for the active role of the United Nations Mission and emphasize the need to appoint a new special representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Libya.