The spokesperson for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied, on Thursday, 11 April, reports that France had blocked a statement by the 28 EU Member States on Libya the day before.
This statement allegedly asked General Haftar to stop his military operations on Tripoli.
“It is a false allegation”, said the Quai d'Orsay spokesperson. According to the French Foreign Ministry, Paris called for the text to be reinforced on three points: “the situation of migrants, the involvement in the fighting of certain groups and individuals under United Nations sanctions for terrorist activities and finally, the need to reach a political solution under the authority of the United Nations in accordance with the commitments made by the Libyan parties in Paris (2017), Palermo (2018) and Abu Dhabi (2019)”.
A European source explained that several countries - including France - had commented on the declaration, prepared by the European External Action Service.
The draft declaration called, inter alia, for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of the Libyan national army and the taking into consideration of humanitarian truces. It stated that General Haftar's military attack on Tripoli puts the civilian population at risk, disrupts the political process and risks further escalation with serious consequences for Libya and the wider region, including the terrorist threat. Member States also requested that the National Conference, which had to be postponed, be convened as soon as circumstances permit.
For her part, the spokesperson of the European External Action Service, Maja Kocijancic, wanted to de-dramatise the situation, recalling that the Twenty-Eight had already reacted at the EU Council, with a statement by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (see EUROPE 12231/1), and that she had reacted following the cancellation of the National Conference (see EUROPE 12233/18). “As soon as it is useful, the High Representative or the Twenty Eight will react”, said Ms Kocijancic.
A reaction expected, on 11 April, as we went to press, was imminent. A new draft declaration was then submitted for validation by Member States and work was on track. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)