BREAKING: EU Supports Permanent Ceasefire in Libya

Minutes ago, the European Union High Representative Josep Borrell stated that the solution in Libya requires the immediate departure of all foreign fighters and mercenaries and the resumption of negotiations as part of a process run by the United Nations.

Borrell added that the declaration of a ceasefire in Libya and the resumption of the political process give new hope for finding a peaceful solution.

“This is a constructive first step forward, which demonstrates the determination of the Libyan leaders to overcome the current stalemate and creates a new hope for a common ground towards a peaceful political solution to the longstanding Libyan crisis and the termination of all foreign interference throughout the country,” said Borrell in a Declaration on behalf of the 27-member union.

“We fully support the agreement around the principles to immediately cease all military activities across Libya, requiring the departure of all foreign fighters and mercenaries present in Libya, and resume the negotiating process in the framework of the UN-led Berlin process,” it stressed.

The EU urged all the Libyan parties, and all those supporting them in any form, to translate these principles into concrete actions on the ground leading to permanent ceasefire and to relaunch the political process.

The EU Declaration said it took note of the announcements regarding the lifting of the blockade on oil infrastructure.

“We now call for these announcements to be followed by concrete developments in terms of a full resumption at full capacity throughout the country in the interest of all the Libyan people, along with the implementation of economic reforms with a view to agreeing on a fair and transparent distribution mechanism for oil revenues and to enhancing the governance of Libyan economic and financial institutions,” it noted.

Earlier, Libya’s Government of National Accord, headed by Fayez al-Sarraj, announced, on Friday, a nationwide ceasefire and ordered its forces to halt all military operations across the country.

The GNA’s chairman also called for holding presidential and parliamentary elections in the upcoming March, according to a statemented signed by Sarraj.