The EU's diplomatic chief, Josep Borrell, has said that the war in Libya, right on Europe’s doorstep directly affects EU interests.
“As a major contribution to stem the flow of weapons and thus to create space for diplomacy to succeed, the EU has launched a new EU naval operation in the Central Mediterranean, called Irini,” said Borrell in an article published on Bruxelles2 website.
“An effective ceasefire is required for the start of political talks and the launch of a national reconciliation process among the rival Libyan groups. Stopping the flow of arms and military assistance into Libya should change the strategic calculus of the parties and diminish the viability of any military solution,” he said.
Borrell regretted the situation in Tripoli after the Libyan National Army of Khalifa Haftar launched an offensive last year to take over the Libyan capital from militias backing the Government of National Accord led by Fayez al-Sarraj.
His forces “are fighting back and, as a result, a war of attrition is underway,” Borrell lamented.
“So the fighting continues unabated, despite intense efforts of the United Nations and despite the clear commitment to work for a ceasefire made by all Libyan factions and all major international actors including the EU at the Berlin conference last January and in turn endorsed by the Security Council,” he said.
"The fighting in Libya is fueled by weapons and other military reinforcements coming from abroad, in direct violation of the UN imposed embargo,” he stated.
“Confronted with this situation, the European Union has understood it needs to assume greater responsibility to address the Libyan crisis,” he added.
