The Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Libya, Stephanie Williams, stated that there are “great risks” from the direct confrontation between competing foreign powers in Libya.
According to the British ‘Financial Times’ newspaper, Williams indicated that the chances of miscalculation around the city of Sirte, controlled by the Libyan National Army (LNA), were huge. “Until now we are not aware of what might happen, but the situation could turn into a wider fire. The risk of the conflict in Libya turning into a proxy war is very serious. The overall picture is of continued foreign interference”, Williams said.
Many countries continue to send weapons, and mercenaries to Libya, violating the UN arms embargo, as rival powers congregate around the city of Sirte, the gateway to Libya’s main oil facilities.
“No efforts have been made to stop the flow of mercenaries or weapons, so there is clearly full international impunity, complemented by impunity on the ground”, she added.
The Turkish-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), says it intends to retake Sirte from the LNA, before peace talks can resume. The LNA which is led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, is backed by Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia. It is noteworthy, that Egypt has threatened direct military intervention in the conflict, if GNA forces attempt to retake Sirte.