German FM stresses role of AU, Arab League in resolution of Libyan crisis
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) – The German minister of foreign affairs, Heiko Maas, on Sunday in Munich reaffirmed the key role of the African Union (AU) and the Arab League in the resolution of the Libyan crisis, stressing thqt it should be a shared task.
In a joint news conference with the UN deputy Special Representative in Libya, Stephanie Williams, Mr Maas said it is worth involving the African Union so it plays a key role in the Libyan crisis.
The 33rd African Union Summit on 10-11 February in Addis Ababa confirmed the participation of the continental organisation in the search for a resolution of the crisis by proposing the sending of military observers for a ceasefire, which will be preceded by an evaluation delegation.
The AU summit also backed the initiative to hold a reconciliation conference in Libya and decided to open a representation at the UN office in Libya after a proposal of the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.
The head of the German diplomacy stressed a role for the Arab League, saying: "Let’s see which assistance the Arab League could provide about the monitoring of the decision banning the supply of weapons."
The UN deputy Special Representative, Stephanie said that the armistice near the capital Tripoli was "very fragile", noting that the UN mission had listed more than 150 violations.
Proclaimed on 12 January on the appeal of Russian and Turkish presidents, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the truce is regularly violated, leading to skirmishes with the belligerents blaming each other.
"The life of the Libyan people has become worse because of the conflict," she said, adding that "one third of the Libyan people is attacked and need assistance".
"We learnt from the Tunisian authorities that three million Libyans have fled to Tunisia over this period."
Ms. Williams said "significant progress" has been made on the economic and military paths among the three UN paths established to resolve the crisis.
The UN official said several meetings were held in Geneva by the UN Mission", adding that the 5+5 military committee will meet again and that negotiations will continue to back the ceasefire.
An extended summit on Libya was held at the 56th Munich Conference on Security. Several countries, particularly France, Russia, Germany and Italy, and Ms. Williams took part in the extended meeting in the German southern city of Munich.
The meeting examined how to stabilise the ceasefire, monitor the arms embargo and carry on the talks between the parties in conflict.
-0- PANA BY/TBM/MSA/MA 17Feb2020
