By Libya Herald staff.
Tripoli, 20 October 2014:
Any solution to the current problems facing Libya must include dialogue that reaches out to . . .[restrict]all parties, according to a statement released today by the European Union.
The EU released an 11-point statement following its Foreign Affairs Council Meeting held today in Luxembourg. The statement expressed concern, saying that the situation threatened the Libyan people’s hopes for a peaceful democratic process.
The situation also threatened security throughout the region, as well as in Europe, and could lead to an increase in arms smuggling, illegal immigration and the spread of terrorism.
The EU statement included a condemnation of “violence, human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law”. There was “no military solution”, it said, demanding an immediate ceasefire.
It added that the EU fully supported the work of UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General Bernardino Leon and UNSMIL and welcomed the dialogue meetings that had taken place so far. It called on all parties to support this process, stating that member states were “exploring with UNSMIL ways to support confidence building measures” on all sides.
The EU again reiterated that the House of Representatives (HOR) was the “sole legislative authority” in Libya. The EU did not recognize any parallel government, a reference to the Hassi anti-government in Tripoli. Even so, the HOR had to reach out to all parties and seek inclusive political dialogue in order to reach a lasting solution, the statement continued. The “country cannot afford to be divided,” it read.
The EU also urged the Constitutional Drafting Assembly to continue its work, writing a constitution that would be inclusive of the rights of all Libyans.
It stressed the importance of a united approach by the international community, as agreed in recent meetings in Madrid and New York. All efforts, it said, and to be in accordance with the UN-led mediation process. Neighbouring countries, though, could provide complementary efforts – a reference to plans by Algeria to hold a conference of the various Libya parties, supposedly this month.
The EU called for the protection of civilians and for humanitarian assistance. According to the statement, the EU had released funds to help, but called on others in the international community to support such efforts.
Libyans had to unite against terrorism, the Europeans said. “To do this, all armed forces must be united under the control of one central authority which reports to a democratic and inclusive parliament,” their statement read.
In conclusion, the EU stated its commitment to supporting Libya in addressing issues such as border control, security, human rights, and protection of vulnerable citizens.
It said that the EU remained committed to the sovereignty and national unity of Libya.
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