Luxembourg, 20/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - Strongly condemning the continued violence and violations of human rights and humanitarian law in Libya, the EU ministers of foreign affairs called on all parties, on Monday 20 October “to observe an unconditional ceasefire”. “The EU is convinced there is no military solution to this conflict. Only a political solution can provide a sustainable way forward and contribute to peace and stability in Libya”, the Foreign Affairs Council states in its conclusions.
Libya needs a strong government of national unity, the EU ministers reiterate, urging the Libyan government and all the elected members of the House of Representatives to reach out to all parties and engage “constructively in an inclusive political dialogue”. The EU ministers encourage the Constitutional Drafting Assembly to continue its work. The Council also calls on all Libyans to unite in their fight against terrorism.
The ministers, who fully support the efforts of the special representative of the UN secretary general, Bernardino Leon (with whom they moreover had lunch), and the efforts of the UN support mission in Libya (UNSMIL), call on all the parties to cooperate fully in the UN-led initiative. They should also engage “in a peaceful political process to resolve the ongoing crisis, abstaining from actions that risk undermining it”, according to the EU. In addition, the Council calls on the parties to respect and implement the agreements that have already been concluded, and to pursue constructive engagement in the political process. “The EU and the member states are exploring with UNSMIL ways to support the confidence building measures”.
The EU is also ready to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 2174 in order to address the threats to Libya's peace and stability. “Those responsible for violence and those who obstruct or undermine Libya's democratic transition must be held accountable”, the EU ministers state. (CG)