Brussels, 21/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - As part of the preparations started by the EU to accompany a future government of national accord in Libya, the European External Action Service (EEAS) has compiled an action plan for the member states - of which EUROPE has obtained a copy. The plan argues for emphasis to be put on a phased approach for security.
In the plan, the EEAS presents an approach for EU involvement that should be “phased (…) to provide maximum flexibility in challenging circumstances”. While a three-phase approach is proposed on security, the EEAS underlines that action should be taken quickly and independently of the evolution in Libya's political situation and the negotiations between the Libyan parties - which have once again just failed. At the moment the country still does not have a government of national accord, with the parliaments in Tripoli and Tobruk having just rejected the United Nations plan (which nevertheless was the subject of a provisional agreement on 9 October).
Despite this failure, the member states will have to take a decision on the mandate of the EU integrated border management mission in Libya (EUBAM Libya), which expires on 21 November 2015. The mission's activities are still on hold due to the country's security situation, but the EEAS believes the mission can still be useful and can be revived, whatever the Libyan political context.
In addition to the decision on the EUBAM Libya mandate, the member states could also take other measures immediately, according to the EEAS. This concerns the work of the EU Liaison Planning Cell, for working in particular on options for the first day of the EU's re-engagement in the country or for supporting a possible international assistance mission. The member states should also prepare initiatives on border security.
The second phase of engagement requires the official signature of the peace plan (called Day 0) and the creation of a government of national accord in Libya, and should continue for 40 days. In this phase, discussions at the technical and political level should be started with the Libyan government and the Interim Security Committee on an immediate EU support package that could include European aid to make the ceasefire hold.
The third phase, which would go from the 40th to 90th day, should aim to develop detailed technical discussions with the Libyan authorities on EU aid, as part of its common security and defence policy (CSDP). The objective would consist of supporting the long term reform of the security sector in Libya, by linking it with the future activities of the EU naval operation for fighting human traffickers in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med Sophia). The creation of a training mission is also mentioned in this context. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)