Annex: Joint Statement of 18 October
2014 on Libya by the Governments of France, Italy, Germany, the
United Kingdom, and the United States~
"The governments of France, Italy, Germany,
the United Kingdom and the United States strongly condemn the
ongoing violence in Libya and call for an immediate cessation
of hostilities.
"We condemn the crimes of Ansar al-Sharia[41]
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 haven.
"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."[42]
41 An Islamist militia group that advocates the implementation
of strict Sharia law across Libya: it came into being during the
Libyan Civil War; is led by its "Emir", Mohamed al-Zahawi;
has deliberately targeted both Libyan and American civilians and
has been designated by the US Department of State as a terrorist organisation. Back
42
Available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/10/233137.htm.
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