Brussels, 09/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - Early in the morning of Friday 9 October, the EU High Representative of Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini, welcomed the proposal, a few hours earlier, of the UN Special Representative Bernardino Léon, to form a government of national accord made up of the various Libyan factions. This proposal comes after more than a year of negotiations, but has already met with resistance.
“The presentation of the final package of the Libyan political agreement by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General, Bernardino Léon, marks an important step towards concluding the difficult negotiations of recent months”, the High Representative stressed in a press release. Mogherini said that the Libyan delegates have “displayed a sense of responsibility, leadership and spirit of consensus at a critical time in the history of their country”. She commended them on their work.
“Given the challenges facing Libya, there is no time to waste in the formation of a government of national accord, so that it may - with the full recognition and support of the international community - begin working for the benefit of all the Libyan people”, the High Representative stressed. She said that the EU “fully” supported the final text and the senior leaders of the government of national accord, proposed by the UN, “who will now have the responsibility to form the new government and oversee the implementation of the agreement”.
The High Representative now expects the Libyan parties to endorse this deal, “which meets the aspirations of the Libyan people, to take the path of peace and prosperity”.
The High Representative reiterated that the EU was prepared to offer “immediate substantial political and financial support” - in the amount of USD 100 million - to the new government. This money will help to provide the government with technical assistance, according to a European diplomatic source. The EU was also prepared to help Libya from a security point of view, should it request such assistance.
The High Representative has decided to add Libya to the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council of Monday 12 October (see other article). (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)