On Tuesday 23 May, the Libya Quartet (EU, Arab League, African Union and United Nations) urged the Libyan parties once again to hold discussions to find a political solution to the crisis.
In its joint press release, published at the end of its meeting in Brussels, the Quartet underlined the urgent need for a peaceful resolution of the political crisis by the Libyans, and encouraged the Libyan parties to commit to a constructive and inclusive dialogue. During their press conference, the representatives of the four institutions underlined the need for an inclusive process.
Hailing the ongoing efforts to find a solution to the crisis (such as meetings between Prime Minister Fayez al Sarraj and Khalifa Haftar, or between the head of the Chamber of Representatives and that of the High State Council) the Quartet urged the dialogue committees appointed by the Chamber of Representatives and High State Council to seek a consensus on pending issues in order to ensure full implementation of the Libyan political agreement. These committees still need to agree on an agenda, a date and a meeting place, the African Union special envoy, Jakaya Kikwete, told press.
In its press release, the Quartet called on all the parties to refrain from further violence and from any action that could undermine the ongoing efforts to find a negotiated solution to the conflict, while the UN special envoy, Martin Kobler, told press that he thought there was a clear inter-relationship between the political path and military escalation. This was an idea supported by the Arab League secretary-general, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, who said that the dynamic of the situation needed to be understood – each time there is a new trend for a political discussion and meetings to have a breakthrough or movement, there are always incidents taking place that make the situation worse and interrupt the process, he said. The Quartet thus condemned the attack on the Brak al Shati military base, which left at least 141 dead on 20 May (see EUROPE 11793) and expressed its concern at the reports of numerous deaths, including civilian, and the allegations of summary executions. The Quartet stated that such acts of violence constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law and that the perpetrators must be held fully responsible. In Kobler's view, targeting civilians or committing human rights violations could be war crimes pursued by the International Criminal Court.
The EU, UN, Arab League and African Union representatives also called for the process of writing the Libyan Constitution to be concluded as soon as possible, in order to pave the way for presidential and parliamentary elections.
In addition, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini announced that the Quartet would next meet in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, but she gave no further details. Until then, the organisations will work in close coordination, she stated. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)