EU Reaffirms Support to Egyptian Initiative on Libya

A European statement was issued on Wednesday on Libya regarding the recent Egyptian-Initiative-related ceasefire efforts. The joint statement on Libya was signed by EU High Representative Josep Borrell and Foreign Ministers Jean-Yves Le Drian of France, Heiko Maas of Germany and Luigi Di Maio of Italy.

"In the aftermath of the constructive commitments to halt fighting, resume dialogue and reach a ceasefire within the framework of the 5+5 joint military committee, taken in Cairo on 6 June, the High Representative of the EU and the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and Italy urge all internal and International parties to effectively and immediately stop all military operations and engage constructively in the 5+5 negotiations, based upon the draft agreement of 23 February," the statement read.

[caption id="attachment_130745" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi (c), Libyan Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh (L) and LNA Commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar (R)- Press Photo[/caption]

The statement stressed that these efforts must lead all parties to swiftly agree on a ceasefire agreement in the 5+5 framework, including the withdrawal of all foreign forces, mercenaries and military equipment supplied in violation of the UN arms embargo from all regions of the oil-rich country.

"The efforts also must lead to engage constructively in all strands of the UN-led intra-Libyan dialogue in order to pave the way for a comprehensive political agreement in accordance with the parameters agreed upon in Berlin," the statement added.

Egyptian Initiative on Libya

On June 6, the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi received Libyan Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh and Libyan National Army Commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in Cairo and announced an initiative to end the conflict in neighbouring country.

The Cairo Declaration emphasizes the unity, integrity, and independence of the Libyan lands, respecting all international efforts, initiatives, and relevant Security Council resolutions, and accordingly, the commitment of all parties to the ceasefire from June 8, 2020.

The initiative is mainly based on the outcomes of the Berlin Summit, which resulted in a comprehensive political solution that includes clear implementation steps (political, security, and economic tracks) and the respect for human rights and international human rights law.