World

France, Germany, Italy urge end to Libya fighting

December 13, 2019
Libyans check the site of an air strike on the southern outskirts of the capital Tripoli in this October 14, 2019 file photo. — AFP
Libyans check the site of an air strike on the southern outskirts of the capital Tripoli in this October 14, 2019 file photo. — AFP

BRUSSELS — The leaders of France, Germany and Italy urged all sides in the Libyan conflict to cease fighting on Friday, after strongman Khalifa Haftar threatened to assault Tripoli.

After an EU summit in Brussels, Emmanuel Macron, Angela Merkel and Giuseppe Conte said stability in Libya "can only be achieved through a political solution".

The trio did not mention Haftar by name, but their statement was issued after he announced a "decisive battle and the advance on the heart of Tripoli".

The capital is held by Libya's Tripoli-based Government of National Accord, but Haftar says the GNA backs "terrorists".

European powers are worried further violence could disrupt fragile efforts to negotiate peace, including an upcoming international conference in Berlin.

The three urged "all Libyan and international parties to cease military action, make a sincere commitment to a comprehensive and lasting cessation of hostilities and resume a credible UN-led negotiation process.

"They reaffirmed their full support for the United Nations and the work of the Special Representative of the Secretary General, Ghassan Salame, as lasting peace and stability in Libya can only be achieved through a political solution," the statement said.

Merkel told reporters it was "clear at this point that Libya is quite a proxy war".

"None of the parties there can act alone under their own steam, and that's why we feel called upon to move forward politically as quickly as possible," she said.

At least 200 civilians and more than 2,000 fighters have been killed since April, the start of Haftar's push on Tripoli, according to the United Nations. The fighting has also displaced 146,000 people. — AFP


December 13, 2019
100 views
HIGHLIGHTS
World
45 minutes ago

EU agrees to sanction 30 Russians over Alexei Navalny's death

World
53 minutes ago

Putin hails annexation of Crimea after claiming election win

World
2 hours ago

‘Enlist or die’: Fear, famine and a deadly ultimatum swell the ranks of Sudan’s paramilitary forces