The governments of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States have issued a joint statement strongly condemning the ongoing violence in Libya, and calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities:
We condemn the crimes of Ansar al-Sharia entities, and the ongoing violence in communities across Libya, including Tripoli and its environs. Libya’s hard fought freedom is at risk if Libyan and international terrorist groups are allowed to use Libya as a safe heaven.
We are also concerned by Khalifa Hifter’s attacks in Benghazi. We consider that Libya’s security challenges and the fight against terrorist organizations can only be sustainably addressed by regular armed forces under the control of a central authority which is accountable to a democratic and inclusive parliament.
We fully support the work of UN SRSG Leon and urge all parties to cooperate with his efforts. After the Ghadames and Tripoli meetings, negotiations should be pursued with goodwill and adopting inclusive policies, with the aim of finding an agreement on the location of the House of Representatives elected last June 25th and laying the foundations for a Government of National Unity.
We stand ready to use individual sanctions in accordance with UNSCR 2174 against those who threaten the peace, stability or security of Libya or obstruct or undermine the political process.
We agree that there is no military solution to the Libyan crisis. We are particularly dismayed that after meetings in Ghadames and Tripoli, parties have not respected calls for a ceasefire.
We stress the importance that the international community acts in a united manner on Libya on the basis of the principles and understandings agreed at recent meetings, namely in New York and Madrid. We strongly encourage all partners to refrain from actions which might exacerbate current divisions in order to let Libyans address the current crisis within the framework of UN-facilitated talks.
(Source: UK FCO)
