Berlin, Rome, Paris threaten sanctions on states interfering in Libya

France, Italy and Germany are “ready to consider” sanctions on foreign powers violating an arms embargo in Libya, a joint statement by their leaders says.

The statement does not directly name any foreign actors funneling arms to Libya, but multiple powers have been sending fighters and weapons, fueling a bloody proxy war that reflects wider geopolitical rifts and divisions in the Middle East and within NATO.

While forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar are backed by Russia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, the UN-recognized unity government is fighting back with Turkey’s support.

“We … urge all foreign actors to end their increasing interference and to fully respect the arms embargo established by the United Nations Security Council,” the statement says.

“We are ready to consider the possible use of sanctions should breaches to the embargo at sea, on land or in the air continue.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, France’s President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte say they therefore “look forward to the proposals the EU High Representative/Vice President will make to this end.”

In Brussels for a crunch EU summit on hammering out a huge recovery plan for the bloc, the three European leaders had met on the sidelines of the meeting to discuss the deteriorating situation in Libya.

— AFP