By Libya Herald staff.
Tripoli, 29 January 2015:
The African Union’s International Contact Group for Libya (ICG-L) has welcomed announcements of a ceasefire . . .[restrict]made by opposing sides of the Libyan conflict but called on all parties to observe it.
Meeting yesterday in Addis Ababa, the ICG-L said there had to be a full and complete ceasefire, not only of ground offensives, but also of air and sea operations. They expressed the AU’s readiness to help monitor the ceasefire, working alongside Libya’s neighbouring countries and the UN.
There could be no military solution, the ICG-L stressed, commending the efforts of UNSMIL and Bernardino Leon to lead the key players in a dialogue process. The ICG-L also praised the participants who have been taking part in the Geneva talks and urged those who are boycotting it to also participate.
Those at yesterday’s meeting expressed their concern that parts of Libya are becoming safe havens for terrorists, and that this is affecting regional stability.
They also expressed their deep concern for the humanitarian crisis in Libya, as well as the violations of international humanitarian law.
Libya’s neighbours will hold another ministerial meeting in N’Djamena, Chad, in February, to build on outcomes from the Geneva talks.
The ICG-L was set up by the AU’s Peace and Security Council last September. It comprises 16 African, Arab and European countries as well as the AU, the EU, the Arab League and the UN. Yesterday’s ministerial meeting in the Ethiopian capital was its second.
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