The Berlin Conference on Libya Documentation

The European: Erdogˇ an has also often threatened to open borders and allow three million or more refugees to move into Europe… Helmut Sorge: The threat has turned into reality. Erdogˇ an in trouble facing Syrian and Russian soldiers during his invasion, asked for NATO support, but he did not get it. He reacted by allowing thousands of migrants and refugees, not only from Syria, but also from Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan to move towards the Greek border. Once again, the Turkish leader blackmailed the European Union, asking for more support to hold them back on Turkish territory. His calculations were correct! Brussels is paying, just to keep hundreds of thousands from settling in the EU. It is understandable, but it is a sign of weakness, not strength.

The European: Thank you Mr Sorge for your openness.

The interview was led by Hartmut Bühl in Marrakech. The opinions expressed are the responsibility and view of the interviewed party alone.

The Berlin Conference on Libya

On 19 th

January, German Chancellor An

gela Merkel, in agreement with the United Nations Secretary-General, had invited representatives of 12 states to a high-ranking conference on Libya in Berlin, aimed at unifying international support for a political solution for Libya that has been destroyed by civil war. Alongside Germany, the USA, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, the Republic of Congo, Italy, Egypt, and Algeria, the United Nations, the European Commission, the European Council, the African Union, and the Arab League were represented. In addition, the Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and his opponent General Khalifa Haftar accepted the invitation to Berlin. They didn’t participate directly in the conference meeting but had separate side-talks with conference members. Participants agreed on a plan for the way forward and reiterated that there can be no military solution in Libya. They have undertaken to comply with the UN arms embargo and to stop supplying parties to the conflict with combatants or arms.

Conclusions (excerpts): CEASEFIRE 9. We call for the termination of all military movements by, or in direct support of, the conflict parties, in and over the entire territory of Libya, starting from the beginning of the ceasefire process (…) ARMS EMBARGO 21. We commit to efforts strengthening Family picture at the Berlin Conference on Libya, 19.01.2020

photo: © European Union

current monitoring mechanisms by the UN and competent national and international authorities, within our capabilities, including maritime, aerial and terrestrial monitoring, and through the provision of additional resources, in particular satellite imagery.(…) nopoly of the State to the legitimate use of force. 36. We support the establishment of unified Libyan national security, police and military forces under central, civilian authority, building upon the Cairo talks, and the documents produced therein.

RETURN TO THE POLITICAL PROCESS 25. We support the Libyan Political Agreement as a viable framework for the political solution in Libya. We also call for the establishment of a functioning Presidency Council and the formation of a single, unified, inclusive and effective Libyan government approved by the House of Representatives. 31. We urge all Libyan parties to further engage in and support mediation and reconciliation efforts between Fezzan local communities so as to reconstruct the social fabric in an area long neglected.(…)

SECURITY SECTOR REFORM 35. We call for the restoration of the moECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL REFORM 42. We encourage the establishment of a reconstruction mechanism for Libya supporting development and reconstruction in all regions under the auspices of a new, representative and unified government exercising its authority over all Libyan territory, (…)

RESPECT FOR INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS 48. We urge all parties to refrain from any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, including through the use of social media.