Egypt’s Libya initiative receives global support with calls to remove Erdogan’s mercenaries

There have been serious Arab and international efforts to lay
the foundations of peace in Libya by supporting the ceasefire initiative
launched by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi earlier this month, which
was welcomed by the Libyan National Army (LNA) but rejected by the Brotherhood-affiliated
Government of National Accord (GNA), led by Fayez al-Sarraj, and its ally Turkey,
who cling to the military solution by paying Syrian mercenaries to carry out
more terrorist operations.
After Sisi’s initiative to stop military operations in
Libya, the GNA announced the launch of a military operation on the city of
Sirte, which is under the control of the LNA, in a step that shows Sarraj and
his terrorist militias adhere to a military solution amid broad international
calls for a return to peaceful negotiations to end the conflict.
Calls for ceasefire
The International Follow-up Committee on Libya (IFCL) held
its third meeting at the level of senior officials on Monday, June 22. The
meeting was co-chaired by the League of Arab States, represented by Assistant
Secretary-General Hossam Zaki, and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya,
represented by Special Representative Stephanie Williams.
The committee issued a statement consisting of 13 items,
calling for the necessity of the parties in the Libyan conflict to adhere to
the decisions of the Berlin Summit held on January 19 and to conduct
negotiations that lead to a comprehensive settlement preserving Libya's peace
and sovereignty.
The committee members demanded an immediate cessation of
hostilities and the completion of existing peaceful negotiations within the
framework of the 5+5 Joint Military Committee. They also called for the
necessity of removing the mercenaries sent by Turkey following the signing of
the security agreement between Sarraj and Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan, which Turkey used to intervene militarily, adding fuel to the war in
Libya and undermining the painstaking peace efforts.
The statement also called for the withdrawal of all foreign
military forces and the dismantling and disarmament of armed terrorist groups.
The continued violation of the UN arms embargo on Libya was
denounced by the committee, as Ankara continues to support the Sarraj
government with military equipment and armed militants, and they called on
parties to adhere to the Egyptian initiative to end the war and bloodshed and
to prepare for national elections.
The statement also urged the Libyan parties to adhere to the
peaceful political dialogue that was launched in Geneva in February, noting the
importance of the elections to complete the political transition in Libya.
The committee expressed its readiness to support a peaceful
democratic path, which can only be achieved in a secure and enabling political
environment.
The members of the committee expressed their concern about
the deteriorating humanitarian and economic conditions in the country,
especially with the continued spread of the corona virus, which is threatening
the lives of Libyans in light of the country’s fragile health sector.
The need to resume oil production under the supervision of the
National Oil Corporation was also stressed by the committee members, who
renewed their demand for transparent and equitable distribution of resources,
stressing the importance of Libya’s sovereign institutions restoring their
integrity.
New Astana track
Meanwhile, the European Union deliberated on Monday, June 22
over Turkey’s use of forceful language and its continued transfer of thousands
of mercenaries to Libya.
EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Josep
Borrell called for a ceasefire between the Libyan parties, as well as the
resumption of the 5+5 talks. He also considered that the EU is confronted by a
new Astana track between Russia and Turkey, in Libya this time, as both
countries share interests there.
The EU stressed the need to strengthen Europe’s military
presence in Africa’s Sahel region in order to protect European security.