France, Italy, Germany, and Britain join US in condemnation of fighting that has killed dozens in port city of Benghazi.
(Aljazeera) – Four European countries – France, Italy, Germany, and Britain – have joined the United States calling for an end to violence in Libya.
The governments of the above-mentioned countries and the United States released a statement saying that they “agree that there is no military solution to the Libyan crisis” and expressed disappointment that calls for a ceasefire had not been respected.
The joint statement voiced concern over Haftar’s offensive and said Libya’s “fight against terrorist organisations can only be sustainably addressed by regular armed forces under the control of a central authority”.
Libya did not succeed in building up state security forces and disarming former rebels who helped remove Muammar Gaddafi, who ruled the country for 42 years until his downfall in 2011.
Civilians have been caught up in the fighting and supplies are running low in areas hit by violence. The UN has proposed a four-day ceasefire in Kikla to allow for the delivery of humanitarian assistance
The US, France, Italy, Germany, and Britain also condemned Ansar al-Sharia, a member of Dawn of Libya, stating that Libya’s freedom was at risk if Libyan and international terrorist groups were allowed to use Libya as a safe haven.
The statement threatened sanctions against individuals who “threaten the peace, stability or security of Libya, obstruct, or undermine the political process”.
