The embassies of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States said in a joint statement on Friday that they shared concerns reflected in UNSMIL’s statement about ongoing military movements in Libya’s southwest region.
“In the context of the continued stalemate in the political process, such movements risk escalation and violent confrontation and could put the 2020 ceasefire at risk. We echo UNSMIL’s call on the parties to exercise maximum restraint.” The embassies’ statement added.
It said that given genuine concerns about border security all along Libya’s southern frontiers, they also encouraged security forces in east and west of the country to seize this opportunity to deepen consultation and collaboration in order to deploy effective measures to secure the borders and safeguard Libya’s sovereignty.
The United Nations Support Mission (UNSMIL) said in a statement on Friday that it was monitoring with concern the recent mobilization of forces in various parts of Libya, particularly in the southern and western regions.
The statement added that UNSMIL commended ongoing efforts to deescalate the situation and prevent further tension.
UNSMIL urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any provocative military actions that could be perceived as offensive and might jeopardize Libya’s fragile stability and the safety of its people.
“The Mission calls for continued communication and coordination between forces affiliated to the LNA and GNU.” The statement remarked.
The statement came after two days of military mobilizations by Khalifa Haftar’s forces that were confronted with similar build-up by armed units under the command of the Libyan Army in western Libya.
After news about Haftar forces’ intent to head to Ghadames and Shuweirif and take control of them, the so-called General Command of Haftar’s forces said their convoys headed to southern region cities like Ubari, Ghat and Brak Al-Shati for “border and local security”.
