Brussels, 13/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 12 February, Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said he wanted the EU to commit more to resolving the crisis in Libya.
“Libya is a big problem for Europe and it must be resolved decisively and with determination”, Renzi stated after the informal European Council. He said he believed that this was an “international emergency”.
In Renzi's view, the endeavours of UN Special Envoy Bernardino Leon were “not enough”. “With the UN's leadership, we need stronger endeavours. Italy is ready to play its role”, he added.
During the Council on 9 February, the EU foreign affairs ministers underlined their resolve to introduce restrictive measures against those threatening peace, stability and security in Libya. They said that they would introduce these measures “as soon as this is deemed necessary, and in full coordination” with Leon. They also said they were ready to contribute to the confidence measures, and to study - along with the UN support mission in Libya - how to help the UN in the different dialogue lines planned for the process (see EUROPE 11249).
Renzi reiterated that Libya was one of the main points of departure for migrants to the EU, many of whom regularly die at sea. “We must resolve this problem [of the Libyan crisis] if we want to avoid people dying and the Mediterranean Sea becoming a cemetery”, he said.
EU criticises attacks on journalists. Elsewhere, a spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini told EUROPE that the EU condemned the increasing attacks against journalists in Libya and “the threats, assaults, kidnappings and killings” to which they fall victim. “The EU calls for those responsible to be held accountable”, Mogherini's spokesperson added, calling on all parties to respect freedom of the press, and reiterating the right to independent, reliable media. “The freedom of expression is essential for democracy in Libya”, the spokesperson said.
Armed men claiming to be members of Islamic State (IS) reportedly took control of the state radio station in Syrte on 12 February. Since then, they have apparently been broadcasting verses from the Koran and speeches from the leader of IS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. (CG)