Brussels, 23/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 20 February, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini called on the Libyan parties to unite against terrorism. Following the terrorist attack in the Libyan town of Guba, Mogherini stated that “terrorism in Libya can only be defeated through the political and institutional determination of a united Libyan government”. “The Libyan parties should not miss this last chance, as the window of opportunity is rapidly closing”, she said.
Stating that the UN Special representative for Libya, Bernardino Leon, had called for another meeting of the political dialogue to finalise discussions initiated in Geneva on the formation of a government of national unity and security arrangements, Mogherini said she believed it was “time for parties to give proof of courage and take upon them the responsibility to ensure to all Libyans a future”. “In this, they will find the international community at their side”, she said. “We will continue working together with the international community, including all the regional partners to ensure these efforts finally bring results”, she added.
During her meeting with the foreign ministers of the Mediterranean member states (France, Spain, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Greece and Cyprus) on 20 February, Mogherini spoke among other things about the situation in Libya. She and the ministers discussed the recent initiatives taken for a political solution to the challenges facing Libya. The previous day she had discussed the situation with US Secretary of State John Kerry, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Egypt's Minister for Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry. They “strongly” supported Leon's role in the mediation for a national unity government, a government that the international community was ready to support in the fight against Islamic State. A press release from the European External Action Service (EEAS) stated that all the parties had decided to maintain constant coordination between them to define the next measures to be taken.
Mogherini also wanted all those who had committed the attack in Guba to be held accountable. Around 40 people were killed and 70 wounded in the explosions of three booby-trapped cars in Guba (East Libya) on 20 February. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)