EU, US urge swift Libya handover

Series Title
Series Details 14.03.16
Publication Date 14/03/2016
Content Type

On 13 March 2016, representatives from the United States, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the European Union called on Libya's unity government to swiftly move to Tripoli and take up power, threatening sanctions against those who undermine the political process.

The Libyan presidential council, headed by Fayez al-Sarraj, had announced on the previous days it was taking power despite lacking parliamentary approval.

Libya has had two rival administrations since mid-2014 when the recognised government was forced from Tripoli after a militia alliance including Islamists overran the capital. A UN-brokered agreement in December 2015 between representatives of the rival parliaments provided for a power-sharing government to be based in Tripoli.

However in February 2016, 100 lawmakers from the internationally recognised parliament said they supported a UN-backed unity government but were 'forcibly prevented' from putting a new reduced cabinet line-up to a vote of confidence.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/eu-us-urge-swift-libya-handover/
Related Links
ESO: Background information: EU must maintain its aid to Libya, say MEPs http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-eu-must-maintain-its-aid-to-libya-say-meps/
The Guardian, 13.03.16: Libyan unity government moves to take power, asserting sole authority to rule http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/13/libyan-unity-government-moves-to-take-power-as-sole-ruling-authority
BBC News, 13.03.16: Libya conflict: Tunis-based unity government claims power http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-35796482
US: Department of State: Press Release, 13.03.16: Statement on Libya http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2016/03/254641.htm
Deutsche Welle, 12.03.16: Libya's UN-backed government seeks recognition http://dw.com/p/1ICHT
The Libya Observer, 13.03.16: UN-imposed government violates Skhirat agreement, bypasses parliament vote http://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/un-imposed-government-violates-skhirat-agreement-bypasses-parliament-vote
Politico, 03.04.16: Italy’s search for a new Libyan savior http://www.politico.eu/article/italys-search-for-a-new-libyan-savior/

Countries / Regions , , , , ,