The European Union and its Member States welcomed, on Thursday 11 March, the approval by the Libyan House of Representatives, the day before, of the new Government of National Unity and the efforts of all parties involved “to come together in a spirit of national unity and reconciliation” (see EUROPE 12675/38).
“This is a significant breakthrough that creates the conditions to reunify institutions in Libya and lead the country towards national elections on 24 December”, said the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, in a statement on behalf of the EU.
He “strongly” encouraged the House of Representatives to continue its constructive role and to work jointly with the Government of National Unity and the High National Electoral Commission to ensure timely preparations for elections.
All Libyan stakeholders should ensure a timely and seamless transfer of power to the Government of National Unity, Mr Borrell said, adding that the EU and its member states looked forward to working closely with the Government of National Unity.
According to the High Representative, this is an “historic opportunity for the Libyans to come together in a joint effort to rebuild their country as peaceful, stable and united and restore Libya’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
He called on the leaders of the Government of National Unity to demonstrate its strong resolve towards laying the foundations for a comprehensive reform in the security sector, “including through genuine efforts to dismantle militias and unify armed forces under a civilian oversight”.
Mr Borrell also reiterated the importance of implementing all the provisions of the ceasefire agreement of 23 October 2020 (see EUROPE 12589/11), respecting the arms embargo and withdrawing all foreign fighters and mercenaries. “All foreign military intervention is unacceptable”, he warned.
See the statement: http://bit.ly/38yrmr9 (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)