EU, UN Warn Against Foreign Intervention in Libya

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Shortly after the motion authorizing the government of Turkey to deploy troops to Libya passed the Parliament on January 2, the European Union (EU) and United Nations (UN) have warned against foreign intervention in the country, calling on foreign powers to "keep their hands off Libya."

Addressing the reporters following his meeting on Libya with the Foreign Ministers of Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom (UK), High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell has slammed Turkey's decision to send troops to Libya.

"Any escalation and also any outside interference will only make the conflict more protracted, bring more misery to ordinary people in Libya, exacerbate divisions in the country, increase the risk of its partition, spread instability across the region and aggravate the threat of terrorism", said Borrell.

'We reject Turkish decision of intervention'

In response to a question as to whether Turkey's military deployment to the country would "help or escalate the situation", Borrell answered:

"We asked for a cease-fire and we asked also to stop the escalation and the external interferences which have been increasing in the last days.

"It is obvious that this makes a reference to the Turkish decision to intervene with their troops in Libya which is something that we reject and that increases our worries about the situation in Libya."

When asked whether the UN is in contact with Turkey, Borrell said, "I was talking with the Turkish authorities some days ago, before Christmas, for other reasons, about this agreement with the Libyan government.

"You know there is a permanent and constant set of talks, telephone calls, everybody keeps in touch with everybody. Do not worry, this is not the problem, we talk with everyone."

'Keep your hands off Libya'

Head of UN Support Mission in Libya Ghassan Salamé has also called on the foreign powers to "keep their hands off Libya".

"Keep your hands off Libya," he said, when he was asked for his message during a follow-up press briefing on Libya.

"The country is suffering too much from foreign interference in different ways; in arms being sold to Libyans; in arms given to Libyans, in direct foreign military action in Libya; in looking for permanent bases in Libya. All these kinds of direct intervention are making things extremely difficult."

Underlining that despite the UN embargo, Libya is sold or given arms, he said, "There are enough weapons in Libya. They do not need any more weapons. There are enough mercenaries, too. So, stop sending them, too. Thousands of mercenaries have probably come to Libya in recent period." (EKN/SD)

* Sources: DW Turkish & Euronews