Western powers call for immediate ceasefire in Libya

The governments of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and the United States on Monday "strongly" condemned the escalation of fighting and violence in Libya, calling for an immediate ceasefire in the North African country.

The Western powers slammed the continuing fighting and violence in and around Tripoli, Benghazi, and across Libya "especially against residential areas, public facilities, and critical infrastructure, by both land attacks and air strikes."

"We reiterate our calls...that all parties in Libya accept an immediate ceasefire and engage constructively in the democratic process, abstaining from confrontational initiatives that risk undermining it," the Western powers said in a joint statement on Monday.

The statement said the violence undermines Libya's democratic transition and national security and those responsible "must be held accountable."

"We welcome discussions on the political and security situation in Libya to be held by the United Nations Security Council in the coming days, including consequences for those who undermine Libya's peace and stability," the statement added.

The Western powers also called on Libya's interim government and its elected House of Representatives to adopt "inclusive policies" that benefit all Libyans and to build a government that "meets the Libyan people's needs for security, reconciliation, and prosperity."

They also encouraged the country's Constitutional Drafting Assembly to immediately pursue the drafting of a document that enshrines and protects the rights of all Libyans.

"We encourage the international community to support Libya's elected institutions," the statement noted, adding that the western powers support the efforts of the UN Support Mission in Libya in this regard.

The statement said: "Outside interference in Libya exacerbates current divisions and undermines Libya's democratic transition."

Since July 13, Tripoli has experienced bloody clashes between Islamist armed groups and pro-secular militias, both seeking to gain control of Tripoli's international airport.

Analysts have said the recent clashes, started by the Libya Dawn group and its allied Islamist armed groups, are Islamist attempts to regain momentum on Libya's political stage. 
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/878197.shtml
26/8/14
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