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| Troops loyal to Libya’s internationally recognized government are seen in military vehicles as they prepare before heading to Sirte, on the outskirts of Misrata, Libya, July 18, 2020. REUTERS/Ayman Sahely |
The leaders of France, Germany and Italy on Saturday threatened for the first time to use sanctions against countries that continued to violate a United Nations arms embargo on Libya.
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte urged โall foreign actors to end their increasing interference and to fully respect the arms embargo established by the United Nations Security Councilโ in a joint statement issued by the French presidency after meeting in Brussels.
โWe are ready to consider the possible use of sanctions if the breaches of the embargo at sea, on land or in the air continue, and look forward to the proposals that the High Representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy will make in this regard,โ they said
Turkey has intervened decisively in recent weeks in Libya, providing air support, weapons and allied fighters from Syria to help the internationally recognised government based in Tripoli repel a year-long assault by the forces of eastern commander Khalifa Haftar.
Haftar is backed by the UAE, Egypt and Russia, which have also been accused by the U.N. of breaking the embargo.
The Tripoli-based government on Saturday moved fighters closer to Sirte, a gateway to Libyaโs main oil terminals, which the government says it plans to recapture from Haftarโs forces.
France has itself faced criticism for its ambiguity with regard to Haftar, having previously backed him in the fight against Islamist militants.
Saturdayโs joint statement was the first time the three major powers had threatened sanctions amid fears of a new escalation on the ground.
โWe share serious concerns about the mounting military tensions in this country and the increased risk of regional escalation,โ they said. โWe therefore call on all the Libyan parties and their foreign supporters to immediately cease the fighting and put an end to the ongoing military escalation across the country.โ
Diplomats have said European Union nations could also consider imposing sanctions on individuals from both Libyan sides.
REUTERS
