Libya demands mercenary pullout; Syrian militia on its way

Libya’s new unity government has demanded the “immediate” withdrawal of all foreign mercenaries ahead of year-end elections in a call backed by the visiting top diplomats of France, Germany and Italy.

The North African country descended into chaos after dictator Muammar Gaddafi was toppled and killed in a 2011 NATO-backed uprising, resulting in multiple forces vying for power.

Fighting only came to a halt last year and a formal ceasefire in October was followed by the establishment of a unity government led by interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah.

The presence of an estimated 20,000 foreign fighters and mercenaries on Libya’s territory is seen as a threat to the UN-backed transition leading to December 24 elections.

“We reiterate the need for the departure of all mercenaries from Libya, and immediately,” Libyan Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush said at a Tripoli news conference, joined by her French, German and Italian counterparts, on Thursday.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian echoed her call.

“The departure of the mercenaries is essential for the Libyan state to assert its sovereignty,” Le Drian said. “We cannot look away from the consequences that the Libyan crisis may have in Europe in terms of security, terrorism and migration.”

‘This must continue’

Pro-Ankara Syrian fighters deployed in Libya have started to withdraw, a French diplomatic source said, describing the move as “encouraging”.

“This is one of the encouraging gestures that we have seen. There are movements [of the Syrian militia forces] that have been seen and noted,” said the source, who asked not to be named.

“Our message is that this must continue, not only with the Syrian mercenaries but with all foreign forces.”

The source said there had been discussions on the issue between Prime Minister Dbeibah and the Turks.

The source added statements from the Turkish side indicated Syrian fighters may have been flown out of the country, but this needed to be “specified and confirmed”.

‘No military solution’

The three European diplomats were in Tripoli in a show of support for the newly formed Government of National Unity, or GNU.

“We represent the EU’s support for Libya as it moves towards peace,” said Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio.

“Italy and Europe are still convinced that there can be no military solution to the Libyan crisis,” he said.

“We reiterated the importance of maintaining the ceasefire, the reopening of the coastal road and the departure of mercenaries.”

Embassies reopening

Dbeibah was sworn in as interim prime minister last week after his cabinet was approved in a move widely hailed as “historic”.

The new transitional executive emerged from a complex UN-sponsored process launched in November, and its members were confirmed by Libya’s parliament on March 10.

Libya had been divided between two rival administrations: the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) based in Tripoli, and its rival in the east loyal to renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar.

The eastern administration officially handed over power to the new executive on Tuesday, a week after Fayez al-Sarraj, the outgoing head of the GNA, formally ceded to the new unity government.

In spite of a long-running arms embargo, the GNA was backed by Qatar and Turkey, while Haftar received support from Egypt, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.

Haftar has not officially taken part in the political negotiations.

Libya’s population of seven million, sitting atop Africa’s largest proven crude oil reserves, faces a dire economic crisis with soaring unemployment, crippling inflation and endemic corruption.

UN chief Antonio Guterres said he “remains deeply concerned” that “foreign elements” continue to operate in the North African country, in a report discussed by Security Council members on Wednesday.

“I reiterate my call on all national, regional and international actors to respect the provisions of the ceasefire agreement in order to ensure its full implementation without delay,” Guterres wrote.

“This includes complete and unconditional respect for and compliance with the United Nations arms embargo.”

The visit by the trio of EU foreign ministers comes after President Emmanuel Macron said France would reopen its embassy in the Libyan capital next week.

Their host Mangoush said on Thursday that Germany and Italy also agreed to reopen their embassies in Libya, adding the process “must be accelerated”.

Other countries including Egypt and Malta have also announced their intention to reopen embassies in Tripoli.