International warnings as Turkey sends more mercenaries to Libya

Amira al-Sherif

As Turkey continues to send thousands of mercenaries to fight alongside Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA), European Union High Representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell called for a ceasefire between the Libyan parties and the resumption of the 5+5 talks. He also warned that the EU faces a new Astana approach between Russia and Turkey regarding Libya this time, as they both share interests in the war-torn country.

The EU stressed the need to strengthen Europe’s military presence on the African coast to protect European security.

European spokesperson Peter Stano called on the regional parties taking part in the Libyan crisis to reduce escalation, encouraging negotiation efforts. “Libya does not need further escalation. Foreign interventions are fueling the conflict,” he added.

On the other hand, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas assured his Italian counterpart during a visit to the headquarters of the Irini operation monitoring the movement of ships and weapons in the Mediterranean. The Foreign Ministry said that preventing the arrival of weapons to Libya is important to Germany and Italy, adding “for this we need more ambitious contributions by the European Union.”

Last week, the EU accused Turkey of blocking the Irini operation.

Diplomats and officials confirmed in Brussels last Wednesday during a meeting of NATO defense ministers that Turkey was blocking the EU’s efforts to secure NATO assistance for the Irini operation in the Mediterranean that aims at imposing an international arms embargo on Libya.

France also expressed its displeasure with Turkey’s behavior, which it described as aggressive, calling on NATO to act in order to repel the Turkish interference. The French army announced that a French ship participating in a NATO mission in the Mediterranean was recently subjected to “very aggressive” actions by Turkish boats, condemning the issue as “very dangerous”.

In a related context, the International Follow-up Committee on Libya held its third meeting at the level of senior officials, co-chaired by the Arab League and the United Nations Mission in Libya.

The meeting reviewed the progress made so far in implementing the recommendations of the Berlin Summit and the efforts to support of a comprehensive, lasting and peaceful settlement led by Libya under the auspices of the United Nations in order to preserve the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya.

Participants in the meeting stressed the need for all members of the Berlin Summit to abide strictly by all their obligations and pledges. Committee members expressed deep concern about the serious military escalation taking place around Sirte.

Committee members renewed their calls for the GNA and the Libyan National Army (LNA) to immediately reduce the escalation and to cease hostilities and military movements.

They stressed the importance of the speedy completion of Libyan-Libyan negotiations within the framework of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) with the aim of reaching a formal, comprehensive and lasting ceasefire agreement under the auspices of the UN.

The meeting pointed out the importance of dealing with comprehensive provisions regarding the removal of all foreign mercenaries and the withdrawal of all foreign military forces within the framework of the 5+5 negotiations, as well as the dismantling and disarming of armed groups and militias throughout the country.

Meanwhile, international experts have warned that the reliance on mercenaries contributed to the escalation of the conflict in Libya, undermined the prospects for a peaceful solution, and had catastrophic repercussions on the local population.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and GNA Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj had signed two memoranda of understanding last November, one demarcating their maritime borders and the other regarding security, which provided for sending Turkish forces to Libya.

Following the signing of the agreement, Erdogan began sending mercenaries from Syria to Libya to support the Sarraj militias in battles against the LNA, in addition to sending weapons and military experts.

Besides the Libyan crisis, there are many other issues also escalating the dispute between Ankara and the EU, including drilling for oil in the Mediterranean, the issue of Greece and Cyprus, and the refugee file, which has strained their relations for years.