World powers urge Libyans to seize 'last chance' for peace

Image
AFP Berlin
Last Updated : Jun 11 2015 | 12:13 AM IST
World powers urged Libya's warring factions at a meeting in Berlin to wrap up peace talks quickly, calling the current round of negotiations a "last chance" for progress.
Twenty-three Libyan envoys joined diplomats from the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council in the German capital and other Western nations at a meeting announced Tuesday by Bernardino Leon, chief of the UN Support Mission in Libya.
The governments and the EU issued a statement calling on "all Libyan parties to overcome the remaining obstacles to an agreement, to create a conducive environment for a lasting and inclusive solution to the current conflicts, to immediately cease all hostilities and to prevent all actions that may disturb the political process."
Libya descended into chaos after a 2011 NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with heavily armed former rebels carving out fiefdoms across the country.
Germany's top diplomat, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who hosted the Berlin meeting, said that time was running out to wrap up a peace accord.
"The round of negotiations that just began moderated by Bernardino Leon is perhaps the last chance for a long time for Libya to avoid breaking apart," he said at the meeting.
Participants said in the final communique that they would offer "significant support" to a government of national accord in the oil-rich country.
Leon is pushing for a final peace agreement before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on June 17.
"We can continue to work for days and months to reach the perfect agreement but Libya doesn't have the time," Leon said.
He presented a draft deal to delegations from the rival sides at talks in Morocco this week but Libya's internationally recognised parliament said yesterday it was "very unhappy" with the proposal.
The Libyan negotiators were to return home tomorrow to continue debating the peace plan.
Leon expressed optimism that a deal could still be reached.
"The door is still open," he said.
"The general feeling is quite positive but it will require very hard work."
Jihadist groups have exploited the lawlessness, which has also prompted a huge influx of migrants trying to make the dangerous crossing to Europe, with shipwrecks leaving hundreds dead and the EU straining to respond.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jun 11 2015 | 12:13 AM IST

Next Story