The European Union affirmed its support for the mediation process in Libya, and encourages a “consensual and inclusive solution, Libyan-led and Libyan-owned.”
This came during a speech delivered by the EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Oliver Várhelyi on behalf of the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.
During a plenary session for the European Parliament on Monday, Várhelyi said “there is a large consensus that the only sustainable way forward is to encourage a consensual and inclusive solution, Libyan-led and Libyan-owned. This is in the best interest of the Libyan people, who deserve a stable, peaceful, and prosperous country.”
Várhelyi warned that Libya is “again in a dangerous political stalemate, after the hope and the progress thanks to the Berlin Process in 2021. As the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has been extended for one year, Special Envoy Abdoulaye Bathily can focus on establishing a strategy to resume a political framework for negotiations.”
He called for encouraging the different Libyan actors from all sides to enhance dialogue and reach a consensus. “The call on foreign forces to withdraw from Libya must also be translated into practice,” he affirmed.
Várhelyi pointed out that the European Union, along with the other international partners active in Libya, can make a difference by proactively supporting the mediation efforts.
Last week, Borrell said that there is no room for optimism that a possible agreement on elections in Libya would be reached soon.
Addressing the EU Parliament session, Borrell said that the Bloc and its international partners can make a difference by proactively supporting mediation efforts, in addition to urging all Libyan parties to enhance dialogue and reach consensus over the constitutional basis for elections.
The EU’s top diplomat stressed the need to withdraw all mercenaries and foreign forces from Libya. “We all also must support the work of the UN envoy and Libyan stakeholders to outline a new and joint roadmap towards elections,” Borrell noted.