The Governments of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States strongly condemn the ongoing barbaric acts by ISIL-affiliated terrorists in the Libyan city of Sirte. We are deeply concerned about reports that these fighters have shelled densely populated parts of the city and committed indiscriminate acts of violence to terrorize the Libyan population. We call on all parties in Libya aspiring to a peaceful and unified nation to join efforts to combat the threat posed by transnational terrorist groups exploiting Libya for their own agenda. The deplorable developments in Sirte underscore the urgent need for parties in Libya to reach agreement on forming a Government of National Accord that, in partnership with the international community, can provide security against violent extremist groups seeking to destabilize the country. We reiterate that there is no military solution to the political conflict in Libya and remain concerned that the economic and humanitarian situation is worsening every day. We stand ready to support the implementation of a political agreement to ensure that a Government of National Accord and its national institutions can function effectively and meet the urgent needs of the Libyan people. It is perplexing that while an international US-led coalition is striking Daesh positions in both Syria and Iraq, the militant group is allowed to grow in a strategically situated country, few hundred miles from European shores. But it is not only western nations that are unable to adopt a clear strategy on Libya. Arab countries as well have failed to move beyond the rhetoric.
The collapse of the Libyan state has affected the security situation in Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria. Arms and fighters have slipped through the long desert borders to and from Libya. Egypt and the UAE have launched airstrikes against suspected militant bases in the past, but even as the threat of militant groups increases in Libya key Arab players are unable to agree on a united strategy.
The recognized Libyan government has asked for help to deal with the recent fall of Sirte including the launch of airstrikes. The Arab League was scheduled to meet on Tuesday to discuss the Libyan situation. This will be the first real test for the recent Arab League resolution to create a joint Arab force and one wonders if the will to put such a force to work will prevail. If no action is taken, either by the Arabs or the international community, against the background of continued divisions by Libyan interlocutors, Daesh will continue to expand. It will be able to use the current political void to carve a chunk of Libya for its so-called caliphate.
The threat to the region and to Europe will increase dramatically. That mini-state will attract insurgents from neighboring countries and the militants will become part of human trafficking and illegal migrant business. It is only a matter of time before Daesh will be able to smuggle fighters into Europe.
Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni echoed such concerns on Monday when he urged Libyans to quickly agree to a power-sharing agreement. He told a newspaper that we either close (a deal) in a few weeks, or we will find ourselves with a new Somalia near (our) coast and we will have to react differently. Such a scenario, he said, will change the international community’s goal in Libya from stabilizing the country to containing terrorism.It would be prudent to consider the latter objective now and quickly. The reality is that the Libyans parties are too divided to agree on a national unity government anytime soon. Even if they do, implementing the accord will not be easy. Intervening in the Libyan conflict back in 2011 remains a controversial issue and is believed to have precipitated the collapse of an already fragile state. But the Daesh factor has changed everything.
pk.shafaqna.com
