The participants in the Libya peace talks in Berlin agreed on Sunday to adhere to a United Nations arms embargo that has existed for many years, and pledged not to provide military support to any of the warring parties. A committee will also be formed to follow up on this summit. This could be a step toward a ceasefire in Libya.
Both Libyan Prime Minister Sarraj and warlord Haftar were present in the German capital. However, they did not speak to each other. Chancellor Merkel said that the rivals had pledged to each appoint five members to a military committee that will begin talks on a permanent ceasefire. No agreements were made regarding the withdrawal of military support already provided, Merkel said.
This UN embargo has existed for many years, but in recent years it has been violated by almost everyone. As a result, Libya has become a battleground for multiple heavily armed militias. Also, no concrete arrangements were made in Berlin for sanctions against parties that would violate the arms embargo again.
The EU Foreign Ministers are now gathering in Brussels to be briefed on the outcomes of the Libya summit in Berlin. German Minister Heiko Maas and Spaniard Josep Borrell, attending on behalf of the EU, will inform their European colleagues.
The UN, the EU, and countries involved in the conflict agreed on Sunday to end military support to the warring parties. Borrell may already propose on Monday how the EU can assist. Not only Libya is torn by disputes, but other conference participants also support different parties in the conflict.
The main warring parties in the North African country are the militarily strong warlord Khalifa Haftar and the leader of the weak UN-recognized government of Fayez al-Sarraj in Tripoli. Haftar is the strongman in the east of the country, but his troops now also threaten Tripoli in the west.
Fewer than seven million people live in the oil-rich country. Europe helped overthrow dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, but now plays a minor role in the country, which serves as a springboard for migrants aiming to cross the Mediterranean Sea to the EU.