Brussels, 01/07/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 30 June, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and the governments of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK and USA called on the Libyan parties to accept the political agreement presented by the United Nations. The parties are expected to meet again on Thursday 2 July, after they did not manage to reach an agreement during the night of 28-29 June.
“We urge all Libyan parties to sign in the coming days the political agreement presented by the UN”, the Western governments stated in a joint press release. In their view, this document is a “thoughtful, well-balanced basis for agreement that meets the urgent expectations of Libyan people and secures the unity of Libya”. The Western governments called on all the Libyan decision-makers to show, “in this crucial moment”, responsibility, leadership and courage. “The political agreement presented by the UN is a good compromise (…) I would therefore like the final agreement presented by UN special envoy, Bernardino Leon, to be accepted by all parties in the coming days”, said Mogherini. She added that the Libyan representatives participating in the UN-led discussions in Morocco “hold the future of their country in their hands”.
“We have facilitated the process as much as possible, and we remain committed to supporting a national unity government and to providing the necessary support for Libya's reconstruction, stability and development”, Mogherini stated. According the Western governments, the international community is ready to bring substantial economic, humanitarian and security aid as soon as the new government is in place. However, the Western governments are also ready to demand account through sanctions of those who threaten the peace, stability and security of the country.
France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK and USA welcomed the peace initiatives that are developing in parts of Libya, including local ceasefires, prisoner exchanges and the return of internally displaced persons. “These are important developments, and a powerful example of the determination of the Libyan people to find peaceful solutions to the ongoing insecurity”, the Western governments state, strongly condemning all attempts to undermine the UN process or local peace initiatives. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)