BRUSSELS, 29 April. - (ANA) - “We encourage all Libyan political forces and institutions to reject the cynical claims and actions of a would-be dictator”, says the Chair of Maghreb Delegation.

 

After the Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar declared the Libyan Political Agreement invalid on Monday, the Chair of European Parliament's Delegation for relations with Maghreb countries (DMAG) Andrea Cozzolino (S&D, IT) said:

 

“I denounce General Haftar’s continued attacks against Tripoli and his complete disregard for the UN Secretary General call for a ceasefire at the time of the coronavirus. I also reject completely his claim that the United Nations-brokered Libyan Political Agreement to build a democratic state based on the principles of inclusion, human rights and the rule of law would be ´a thing of the past´ and his self-proclamation as ´the leader of all Libyan people´.

 

We encourage all Libyan political forces and institutions to reject the cynical claims and actions of a would-be dictator. We also urge all the Libyans of good will to join forces in order to impose a cease-fire and relaunch an inclusive political process under the aegis of the UN”.

 

 

 

 

The Libyan Political Agreement was brokered by the UN and signed in December 2015 in Skhirat, Morocco. By forming a Government of National Accord (GNA), it sought to resolve the dispute between the two Libyan governments, bring stability and help to combat IS forces.

 

Despite the Agreement, fighting continued. General Khalifa Haftar’s troops, who support the authorities based in the eastern town of Tobruk, is in control of most of the country. He receives support from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Russia, though each country has different reasons and different objectives.

The GNA, based in the capital Tripoli, and recognised by UN and by the EU, is backed by Turkey and most Western nations.

 

In January, 16 countries and organisations met in Berlin to renew their commitment to a 2011 UN weapons embargo in a bid to end the civil war that has raged in the country since Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown in 2011. This month, the EU launched the Operation Irini to enforce the UN arms embargo on Libya.  - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/29 April 2020 - - -