Return from European mission to Tripoli: "Try everything before the hard option" (update)
(BRUSSELS2 / Exclusive) The European mission led by Agostino Miozzo (*), the director of the "Crises" department at the European diplomatic service (EEAS), has been back in Brussels since yesterday evening. 'B2' was able to find out more about this 48-hour mission which made it possible to take some measure of the situation in Libya, in Tripoli.
A diplomatic fact-finding mission
"It was not - as we said - a humanitarian assessment mission. But a "diplomatic fact-finding mission" explained Agostino Miozzo to 'B2'. "We did not have the mandate or the means to assess the humanitarian needs on the spot. Our objective was above all to establish direct contacts with the ambassadors of the EU states who are there. Which had never been the case until now." An interesting exchange.
Call by a senior Libyan diplomat for the return of European ambassadors
The delegation has d'on board met, with the Hungarian and Italian ambassadors, the Europe director of the Libyan Foreign Minister. An old school ambassador. He expressed his "regret"the departure of several European ambassadors from Tripoli (**). A departure"that he doesn't understand". And he called these to "come back". They will have "the protection of the Libyan government. There is no security problem for ambassadors or European diplomats" he assured. But above all he proposed the establishment of a "independent mission of the UN and the European Union if possibleto assess the situation in the country.
An independent evaluation mission UN / EU?
A meeting then took place with the European diplomats still in post in Tripoli. The eight diplomats present (ambassadors or charge d'affaires of Hungary, Italy, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Malta, Romania, Netherlands) were unanimous in wishing this "independent assessment mission - UN/European Union".
Regarding human rights violations, there is currently no other source than the news that arrives through the media, explain the diplomats. And no possibility of verifying the alleged violations of human rights, by whom they are committed (government or rebels) and in what number. A "prudence" which is explained. There are still many European citizens in the country. The embassies concerned do not currently plan to leave the country and have "decided to stay", For now.
The fate of Europeans
This exchange made it possible to verify the fate of European nationals who want to be evacuated. According to the ambassadors present, the repatriation of Europeans has so far gone smoothly (at least for the nationalities present around the table). About 1330 European nationals still remain in the country. And not everyone wants to leave. 200 European nationals should however be repatriated today on board an Italian plane.
The particular issue of Eritrean and Somali refugees
This plane also brings back a small group of Eritreans, who benefited from the right of asylum in Libya. They should be welcomed in Italy and given the same status. According to a first estimate, between 7 and 8000 Eritreans and Somalis have refugee status in Libya. And who could (should) benefit from the same status if they are repatriated to Europe or another country.
Other Contacts
Contact was also made with the local representation of the International Organization for Migration, made up of Libyan nationals. An exchange which remained, suddenly, quite limited apparently. The officials remain very cautious.
The question of the three Dutch soldiers, held prisoner by the Libyan authorities, was not officially raised during this stay, even if it remained in everyone's mind.
In the city, the calm before the storm
On the spot, the situation is very contrasted. At the airport, there are 2 to 3000 people massed (Bengalis, Africans...), in difficult conditions, even if the local IOM delegation does not want to officially recognize it. By contrast, the city of Tripoli, "at least for the neighborhood that I was able to visit, appears calm, almost leading a normal life, with children playing in the street", explained the European diplomat. The only indicator of a possible tension: "most stores are closed". But "we feel like a calm, heavy, before the storm".
Try all the other possibilities
"I am very concerned about the development of the situation“says the European diplomat. "I believe in trying everything, every possibility, before arriving at other harder options (military). It's a personal opinion. You know. I'm a doctor. And before arriving to an operation, any other treatment should be considered". And fear that the situation will escalate et "hard".
(*) Italian logistic support. The director of the "crisis response" department of the European diplomatic service (EEAS) was accompanied by three officials and a press officer. He benefited from the logistical support of the Italian authorities, who provided him with a government plane to liaise with Tripoli, as well as security agents who accompanied him throughout his trip.
(**) About ten embassies, including those of France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Spain... have "suspended" their representation
Read also:
