The EU is ‘ready to support new Libyan government’

The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Frederica Mogherini, has announced Europe’s readiness to provide a €100 million package to support the new Libyan government.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the EU official praised the “substantial progress” achieved in the negotiations on Libyan political dialogue, noting that only the final touches remain for a comprehensive solution that would be agreed upon by all Libyan factions.

“It is time for courageous and responsible choices for Libya,” said Mogherini. “Now it’s up to the parties to show they are ready to rebuild their country.” All of the participants in the talks, she added, have so far shown responsibility by reaching this step.

The senior EU official also stressed the importance of agreeing “as soon as possible” to the text that was “prepared thanks to the unrelenting efforts” of UN Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya Bernardino Leon. The list of those who will hold senior political posts has to be agreed on “so that a new government of National Accord can be formed without further delay,” the High Representative pointed out.

In conclusion, Mogherini affirmed that the European Union continues to stand by the Libyans and support the negotiations.

The current round of talks kicked-off in the Moroccan city of Skhirat on 10 September within the framework of the Libyan political dialogue sponsored by the UN mission in Libya. Although some of the factions taking part in the negotiations announced that a final agreement would be reached soon and a new National Accord government would be formed, some participants and observers at the Skhirat talks note that there are reservations about a number of issues still pending.

Two governments are battling for power in Libya: the temporary government that emanated from the Tobruk House of Representatives, located in the eastern city of Elbeida, and the Tripoli-based Salvation government that came out of the General National Congress.