EU condemns Haftar’s attacks on civilians in Tripoli

The European Union (EU) has indicated that it regrets that the fighting has increased in Libya despite the international calls for a humanitarian truce to help contain the Coronavirus pandemic in the country, strongly condemning the attacks against civilian population in Tripoli.

In a statement on Saturday, the EU said the challenging circumstances created by the Coronavirus pandemic make the need to halt the fighting in Tripoli and across the country even more urgent.

“We urge all the relevant Libyan actors to immediately stop the fighting and engage in reaching a political solution to the crisis.” The statement reads.

The EU remarked that the leadership of the two Libyan conflict parties should commit to the draft ceasefire agreement developed by the Joint Military Committee (5+5) in the UNSMIL-facilitated Geneva talks, so that all available assets can be deployed in priority to contain the Coronavirus crisis.

The EU reiterated its call on all UN member states to respect and uphold the UN arms embargo, to discontinue the influx of foreign fighters into Libya and to refrain from destabilising actions that could further deteriorate the already fragile situation in the country. 

The EU also condemned the use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes and call on all parties to respect human rights and international law. 

“A truce would facilitate taking all the necessary steps to protect the Libyan population and the most vulnerable in the country, including the Libyan IDPs as well as migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in the detention centres, for whom the possible spread of the virus could have further catastrophic consequences. We strongly support and encourage efforts of Libyan health authorities to come together to assist the Libyan population. Health workers should be protected at all times.” The statement indicates.

It said that all the Libyan parties need to engage constructively in the UN-facilitated intra-Libyan talks in order to agree on the implementation of urgent economic and financial measures, including the audit of the Central Bank of Libya and its branch in the East. 

The EU remarked that oil production, which has been shut down by Khalifa Haftar, should resume under the auspices of the National Oil Company (NOC) as a matter of urgency and its equitable distribution among all Libyan regions and in the interest of all Libyans should be ensured.