(B2) As the Berlin Process is in danger of getting bogged down in the sands, EU High Representative Josep Borrell calls for a ceasefire on the ground, talks policies, and above all to convince of the need to support and set up Operation Irini, which still does not have the necessary means to begin its maritime operations to control the arms embargo
The High Representative of the European Union, Josep Borrell (credit: Council of the EU)
Fighting continues in violation of international commitments
An ongoing war of attrition
The conflict in Libya, on Europe's doorstep, has been going on for years and directly affects the interests of the European Union. [...] Today, the current situation has changed. The Libyan National Army (LNA), under the command of General Haftar, has moved towards Tripoli in an attempt to take control of the Libyan capital. The forces of the Government of National Accord (GNA) recognized by the United Nations are fighting and a war of attrition is underway.
Berlin's commitments violated
The fighting continues unabated. This, despite the intense efforts of the United Nations, and despite the clear commitment to work towards a ceasefire, taken by all the Libyan factions and all major international players, including the European Union, at the Berlin conference in January, and endorsed by the United Nations Security Council.
An influx of arms and soldiers in violation of the embargo
The fighting in Libya is fueled by arms and other military reinforcements from abroad, in direct violation of the embargo imposed by the United Nations. Faced with this situation, the European Union understood that it had to assume greater responsibility in resolving the Libyan crisis. In addition to the suffering it inflicts on its own population, instability in Libya also affects the security of its neighbors in the Maghreb and the Sahel, and therefore threatens European interests, in the broad sense.
A necessary ceasefire
It is clear today that an effective ceasefire is necessary to begin political talks and the launch of a process of national reconciliation between the rival Libyan groups. Halting the flow of arms and military assistance to Libya should alter the parties' strategic calculus and diminish the viability of any "military solution". This should then constitute a strong encouragement to accept and respect a ceasefire. In summary: we must stop the flow of arms and create a working space for diplomacy. This is the main objective of Operation Irini
Irini's main objective
Monitoring the arms embargo
To make a significant contribution to stemming the flow of arms, and thereby creating space for diplomacy to succeed, the European Union has launched a new naval operation in the central Mediterranean, called Irini, after the Greek goddess of peace. [This] Operation Irini, which replaced Operation Sophia, was launched under very different circumstances. Operation Sophia was launched in 2015, at the height of the so-called migration crisis. Its primary objective was the fight against organized crime responsible for migrant smuggling and human trafficking. Other tasks were later added to his mandate, including the implementation of the arms embargo imposed on Libya by the United Nations Security Council in 2016.
Only the European Union has acted at sea on the control of the embargo
The experience of Operation Sophia has shown that even if all members of the United Nations and the regional organizations concerned are invited to support the application of the arms embargo, in particular by inspecting ships on the high seas and seizure of illicit shipments, only the European Union has actively contributed to these efforts. It also showed that the presence of naval assets is crucial, for reasons of credibility and effectiveness.
The presence of compulsory naval means
Operation Irini brings EU naval assets back to the central Mediterranean, from where they had been absent for nearly a year, roughly coinciding with the start of General Haftar's offensive on Tripoli. It is clearly focused on the implementation of the arms embargo. UN Security Council Resolution 2292 only authorizes coercive measures on the high seas. Operation Irini will be well equipped for this, and its mere presence should have a powerful deterrent effect on traffickers at sea.
Watch the earth and the air too
At the same time, it is clear that various actors are using air routes and land borders to bring arms and military support to Libya. Although this is also prohibited by the United Nations Security Council, there is currently no international authorization to stop these activities. To deal with this situation, Operation Irini will be equipped with technological resources, in particular satellite and air, beyond what can be detected by naval means, which will enable it, in full compliance with international law, to report to the competent organs of the United Nations Security Council, as fully as possible, any other potential violation of the arms embargo, whether by air or by land.
A call to all to support Irini
The European Union expects that this combination of maritime control and active surveillance of other routes will have a strong deterrent effect on all those who continue to support the conflict in Libya, despite the clear international ban, and despite the suffering their actions cause. We ask them to join us and deploy their energy and influence to promote a political solution, in good faith.
Make it more difficult for foreign interference
We know that Operation Irini is not a silver bullet. It alone will not bring peace and stability to Libya. But it can contribute to making any outside military interference more difficult, by exposing those responsible. And if outside military interference is reduced, the chances of a lasting ceasefire will increase, and with it the prospects for a genuine political process.
This is why anyone who wants to end the war in Libya should support Operation Irini without hesitation.
(Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy)
Chapô, title and intertitles are from the editorial staff
