• Libya, distant peace
  • Libya. Haftar stops oil exports. UN plan: truce and new government

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January 19, 2020

The international conference on Libya in Berlin began formally with the usual 'family photo'. To do the honors of the house, of course, Chancellor Angela Merkel. Next to her are President Emmanuel Macron on the one hand and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the other. Not far away is the Turkish Recep Erdogan and the British Boris Johnson. Among the last to arrive, the Russian Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, who found his position in the second row, not far from the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

This is a vertex with a foregone conclusion between two key figures, Al Sarraj and Haftar. Sarraj, Prime Minister of the Tripoli government, the one recognized by the international community, has already clarified that the success of the Conference will depend exclusively on the withdrawal of Haftar; that never, in the event of a possible single national government (main objective of the Conference), will it be "subject to approval by the Parliament of Tobruk" (ally of Haftar, ed); and that the release of oil is essential, the last act of the strong man of Cyrenaica. Haftar changes the "hostile attitude" so that a solution can be found to the crisis in Libya, Turkish President Erdogan said today. "For a political solution and the implementation of the other phases of a solution, Haftar's hostile attitude must end," he said, during the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Berlin. "We do not lose hope that the dialogue will continue and the conflict will resolve" was the conclusion of the Russian leader.

In these same hours, the Libyan army has announced that the general's militias have opened fire on government forces on the front of Kallatat, south of Tripoli, in a new violation of the ceasefire. And Khalifa Haftar appears to be under pressure from Gaddafians to bring down the Berlin conference. As a tweet from the Libya Observer site out of quotation marks, Moussa Ibrahim - former Minister of Information and spokesman for Colonel Muammar Gaddafi - said that if the general "accepts the results of the conference" the supporters and fighters of the late Libyan leader "will dissolve the alliance "they made with him in 2014.

Sarraj and Haftar from Merkel, separate talks
Before the summit began, al Sarraj and Haftar had separate talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel,

The draft of the document
"Urging the Libyan parties to stop all hostilities against oil structures" in the country. It is one of the points contained in the draft of the final declaration of the Berlin Conference, according to the latest advances reported by Al Arabiya in a tweet. Yesterday the Libyan National Oil Corporation was forced under pressure from General Khalifa Haftar to close the Cyrenaica oil terminals.

The Libya Conference is preparing to ask the conflicting parties to keep the conflict away from oil wells. Reuters also said so, referring to the content of the draft of the final declaration, which reiterates that Noc is the only company authorized to sell crude oil. The appeal of the Conference, which is about to open in the Libyan capital, comes after the blockade on the sale of oil imposed by the general of Cyrenaica, Khalifa haftar.

In Berlin 18 delegations
Eighteen delegations are participating in the Berlin Conference on Libya which began a short time ago at the headquarters of the German Federal Chancellery. At the head, the UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, and his special envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salamè. Here is the list of participants:
- UN: the secretary general, Antonio Guterres, and the special envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame '.
- EU: the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen; the President of the EU Council, Charles Michel, and the High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell.
- African Union: the president of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat.
- Arab League: the Secretary General, Ahmed Aboulgheit.
- Libya: the president of the Government of national agreement, Fayez al Serraj, and his opponent, the general of Cyrenaica, Khalifa Haftar.
- Italy: the Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, accompanied by the Foreign Minister, Luigi Di Maio.
- Use: the secretary of state, Mike Pompeo.
- Russia: President Vladimir Putin.
- Turkey: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
- France: President Emmanuel Macron.
- GB: Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
- Egypt: President Abdel Fattah al Sisi.
- Algeria: President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
- China: Yang Jiechi, director of the office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Politburo.
- Emirates: Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayd al Nahyan.

Conte ad al Sarraj: "Europe did not arrive late, Italy has always been there"
We are a country of Europe, we are a country more directly concerned. In the last stages, Europe is developing the great conviction that these dossiers must move with the utmost determination and with one voice ". Premier Giuseppe Conte said in Berlin, commenting on al-Sarraj's words that Europe arrived "late and divided" on Libya.



Sarraj and Haftar from Merkel, separate talks
Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al Sarraj and General Khalifa Haftar had talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel before the start of the Berlin summit. The German news agency Dpa writes that the two talks with the chancellor, accompanied by Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, took place separately.

The draft of the document
"Urging the Libyan parties to stop all hostilities against oil structures" in the country. It is one of the points contained in the draft of the final declaration of the Berlin Conference, according to the latest advances reported by Al Arabiya in a tweet. Yesterday the Libyan National Oil Corporation was forced under pressure from General Khalifa Haftar to close the Cyrenaica oil terminals.

The Libya Conference is preparing to ask the conflicting parties to keep the conflict away from oil wells. Reuters also said so, referring to the content of the draft of the final declaration, which reiterates that Noc is the only company authorized to sell crude oil. The appeal of the Conference, which is about to open in the Libyan capital, comes after the blockade on the sale of oil imposed by the general of Cyrenaica, Khalifa haftar.

Skip the joint press conference at the end of the Berlin summit. Ansa learns from diplomatic sources. Angela Merkel will close the summit by meeting journalists together with the UN secretary general Antonio Guterres.

Sarraj: Europeans late
"Europe must make self-criticism. Europeans have come too late." Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al Sarraj says it at Welt am Sonntag . Prime Minister Sarraj is also disappointed by the differences of position in Europe on the Libyan question, with France more favorable to rival Haftar. "We would have expected the EU to take a clear stand against Khalifa Haftar's offensive, and to help resolve the current crisis." "Unfortunately, Europe has so far played a very modest role. Although some countries have a special relationship with Libya and they are our neighbors with many common interests," added Sarraj.

"If the aggression resumes, we will continue to defend ourselves vigorously until it is defeated. We have not attacked anyone." The head of the Tripoli government, Fayez Serraj, told the DPA about the offensive of General Khalifa Haftar and a possible resumption of the clashes in case of failure of the Berlin conference.

"A long experience makes us believe that there is doubt about the seriousness of the other party". So Prime Minister Fayez al Sarraj in an interview with the Dpa, before the start of the Berlin summit on Libya. Without explicitly mentioning General Khalifa Haftar, Sarraj added: "everyone knows he aspires to power at all costs".

Erdogan: Berlin important stop
The Berlin conference "is an important step" to cement the ceasefire in Libya. This was stated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan . "We consider the Berlin conference an important step in cementing the ceasefire and finding a political solution," said the Turkish president speaking to journalists at Istanbul airport before leaving for the German capital. Erdogan also called for "efforts not to be scarified to the merchants of blood and chaos."

"Turkey is a fundamental partner" of Italy and the EU "crucial interlocutor for regional stability. Joint responsibility for pacification Libya reaffirmed". The Foreign Ministry writes on Twitter, reporting contents of the meeting between the Foreign Minister, Luigi Di Maio , and the Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, which was held in Berlin, where the Peace Conference in Libya opens.

Di Maio: yes to a mission under UN auspices
"The blockade of oil exports weakens Libya and the Libyan people, one of the few revenues that Libya has to support its citizens," said Di Maio in Berlin. Then: yes to an international mission under UN leadership.



"The premise of everything in Libya is the achievement of a stable truce. The ceasefire is the first act to be consolidated, followed by the arms embargo". To say this, is the President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli , in an interview with Corriere della Sera on the day of the Berlin Conference. "Too many actors on the field are a brake on peace", explains Sassoli, who says that work is being done "on the withdrawal of foreign soldiers". Sassoli for days has insisted on the "need to restart dialogue", "the moment is very delicate - he underlines - but in Berlin there is the possibility of making progress and starting a negotiation process".

"Today a conference is held in Berlin to discuss the crisis in Libya. I sincerely hope that this summit, so important, will be the start of a path towards the cessation of violence and a negotiated solution that will lead to peace and long-desired stability in the country. " Pope Francis said so in St. Peter's Square after the Angelus recitation.