Greece: It is Urgent to Fully Implement Arms Embargo in Libya

World leaders pose for a family photo within the Berlin Conference on Libyan peace in Berlin, Germany (File photo: Reuters)
World leaders pose for a family photo within the Berlin Conference on Libyan peace in Berlin, Germany (File photo: Reuters)
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Greece: It is Urgent to Fully Implement Arms Embargo in Libya

World leaders pose for a family photo within the Berlin Conference on Libyan peace in Berlin, Germany (File photo: Reuters)
World leaders pose for a family photo within the Berlin Conference on Libyan peace in Berlin, Germany (File photo: Reuters)

The situation in Libya requires full implementation of an arms embargo, and the results of the Berlin Conference are the first step towards resolution of the Libyan crisis which reconfirmed the will of all sides to achieve a political solution, according to Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.

Dendias said that Greece looks positively on a possible reactivation and expansion of ‘operation Sophia’ to monitor compliance with the arms embargo in Libya, as well as the potential deployment of a UN peacekeeping force.

“Greece is prepared to contribute to both initiatives.”

The Minister indicated that the memorandum signed by Turkey and the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli cannot have a place in the political solution of the crisis, because they were concluded in an illegal manner and their content counters international law and the resolutions of the UN Security Council.

Meanwhile, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell indicated that the EU rejects the agreement signed between the GNA and Turkey, expressing the Union's concern over the security situation in Tripoli.

Diplomatic sources also confirmed that Cyprus does not want new EU sanctions against officials in Crimea, in exchange for European support for tougher measures against Turkey.

The sanctions that the European Union is preparing against Ankara include the prevention of entry and freeze of assets. However, it is postponing the decision with the aim of identifying Turkish officials to sanction and giving Ankara time to change course.

EU has agreed to add more Crimean officials to its blacklists, however, the imposition of sanctions requires the approval of all 28 member states.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that the EU would not agree to a political solution to the conflict in Libya unless Turkey and GNA drop the demarcation of maritime borders agreement.

PM Mitsotakis will meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on January 29th, in an attempt to enhance the international coalition against the Turkish provocations in the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean.

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told Greek newspaper Ekathimerini that France would not agree to any matter that violates the rights of Greece or Cyprus, as Turkey drills for oil in the island’s sovereign waters.

Cyprus was frustrated by the European Union’s reluctance to take a strong stand against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has threatened to flood Europe with millions of refugees and other migrants, through the Greek islands.

EU has only imposed soft sanctions, but EU official Borrell said that tougher measures must be taken.



Germany’s Merz Announces Gaza Aid Airlift, Mulls Upping Ante on Israel

 28 July 2025, Berlin: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks at a press conference at the Federal Chancellery, after the Security Cabinet meeting on the conflicts in the Middle East. (dpa)
28 July 2025, Berlin: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks at a press conference at the Federal Chancellery, after the Security Cabinet meeting on the conflicts in the Middle East. (dpa)
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Germany’s Merz Announces Gaza Aid Airlift, Mulls Upping Ante on Israel

 28 July 2025, Berlin: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks at a press conference at the Federal Chancellery, after the Security Cabinet meeting on the conflicts in the Middle East. (dpa)
28 July 2025, Berlin: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks at a press conference at the Federal Chancellery, after the Security Cabinet meeting on the conflicts in the Middle East. (dpa)

Germany will immediately launch an airlift to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza as it considers stepping up pressure on Israel over the "catastrophic" situation in the enclave, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday.

As the death toll from almost two years of war in Gaza nears 60,000, a growing number of people are dying from starvation and malnutrition, Gaza health authorities say, with images of starving children shocking the world and fueling international criticism of Israel over sharply worsening conditions.

Germany, together with the United States, has long remained one of Israel's staunchest allies and largest arms suppliers.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday many people were starving in the enclave, contradicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who denied there was starvation there.

The German security cabinet convened for more than two hours on Monday to discuss the situation, Merz told a news conference in Berlin. While it welcomed Israel's announcement of a halt in military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza as an "important first step", it agreed more must follow.

Asked if the council discussed sanctions like suspending the EU pact governing relations with Israel, a move Germany has in the past rejected, Merz said the council had discussed what options were available.

"We are keeping such steps on the table," he said.

Before making any decisions, however, he would try to speak with Netanyahu later on Monday and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul would travel to the region on Thursday, possibly together with his British and French counterparts. The German government would then reassess the situation over the weekend.

In the meantime, Berlin would do what it could to help alleviate the humanitarian situation, launching an airlift in cooperation with Jordan to deliver aid into Gaza.

"Defense Minister Boris Pistorius will closely coordinate with France and the UK, who are also willing to provide such an airlift for food and medical supplies," he said.

"We know that this can only provide very limited help for the people in Gaza, but it is nonetheless a contribution we are eager to make."

Germany would also prepare for a Gaza reconstruction conference in coordination with regional partners, Britain and France, he said. "No further expulsions from the Gaza Strip must occur."

German officials say their approach to Israel is governed by a special responsibility, known as the Staatsraison, arising from the legacy of the Nazi Holocaust.

They have long believed they can achieve more through diplomatic back channels than public statements. But Merz has come under growing pressure in recent weeks, including from within his own coalition, to take a firmer stance on Israel, and faced broad criticism for failing to join a statement last week by dozens of Western nations condemning the "inhumane killing" of Palestinians.