Germany, France, Italy-EU Urge Ceasefire Amid Escalation of Libyan Civil War: "Negotiations Must Resume"

by Jeong Hyunjin

Published 26 Apr.2020 07:06(KST)

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] On the 25th (local time), the foreign ministers of Germany, France, Italy, and the European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy called for a humanitarian ceasefire to the parties involved in the Libyan civil war.

According to major foreign media, they stated in a joint declaration that "their position aligns with that of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who called for a humanitarian ceasefire," and emphasized that "in the spirit of Ramadan (the Islamic fasting month), the parties to the Libyan conflict must sincerely resume ceasefire negotiations."

The statement was issued by Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Heiko Maas, German Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Foreign Minister, and Luigi Di Maio, Italian Foreign Minister.

In Libya, despite requests from the UN and aid organizations to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, confrontations have intensified since the beginning of this month. The Government of National Accord (GNA), which governs the western region including the capital Tripoli, and the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by military commander Khalifa Haftar, who controls the east, fought in southern Tripoli on the 5th.

Recently, the situation has worsened as Fayez al-Sarraj, Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord, declared that he would not negotiate with Commander Haftar. Al-Sarraj criticized Haftar, saying, "Haftar views COVID-19 as an opportunity to attack us," and accused Haftar's forces of indiscriminately bombing residential areas, power plants, civilian institutions, and hospitals in Tripoli recently.