Libya: GNA Rejects Operation ‘Irini’ to Oversee Arms Embargo

European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, March 6, 2019. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, March 6, 2019. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
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Libya: GNA Rejects Operation ‘Irini’ to Oversee Arms Embargo

European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, March 6, 2019. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, March 6, 2019. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

Libyan authorities have expressed rejection of a plan, Operation Irini, launched by the European Union to oversee an arms embargo in Libya.

The EU announced earlier a new naval mission in the Mediterranean to enforce an arms embargo on Libya – yet the mission was delayed.

Interior Minister of the Government of National Accord (GNA) Fathi Bashagha said that he discussed on Friday military developments with senior officials at the EU. They also discussed the latest updates and the breakthroughs achieved by the GNA forces in defeating illegitimate forces.

Bashagha stressed the unyielding stance of the GNA towards the operation and rejected it in its current form. According to him, the operation halts support to the GNA while allowing for the armament of Libyan National Army commander Khalifa Haftar.

"Irini has the necessary resources to begin its mission," said Peter Stano, spokesman for EU diplomatic chief Josep Borrell. EU states agreed on Monday to equip the new operation with ships, planes, and satellites, Stano added.

The Libyan minister added that the countries undermining Libya’s stability and breaching international law through arming illegal forces should be stopped.

Moreover, head of the GNA Fayez al-Sarraj informed European Parliament President David Sassoli of the government's rejection of the operation.

Sarraj added that Libya expected from the neighboring European countries to implement Security Council resolution no. 1970 issued in 2011.

In a related matter, the United Nations’ Libya mission on Thursday expressed concern over the civilian causalities in the country by the forces of Haftar.

“Between 1 January and 31 March 2020, UNSMIL documented at least 131 civilian casualties (64 deaths and 67 injuries). This figure represents an overall increase in civilian casualties of 45 percent compared to the preceding period in the fourth quarter of 2019,” UNSMIL revealed.

“Ground fighting was the leading cause of civilian casualties, followed by targeted killings, airstrikes, and improvised explosive devices,” it added.

“UNSMIL is very concerned by the continued indiscriminate attacks and targeting of civilians in civilian-populated areas and the increase in civilian casualties from the use of rockets and artillery, as well as from targeted killings by forces affiliated to the LNA,” the statement read.

“All parties to the conflict must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law including complying with the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions in attack to prevent civilian casualties,” the statement cited head of UNSMIL Stephanie Williams as saying.



Lebanese President Says ‘Forbidden’ to Return to War Rhetoric

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with the French delegation on Monday. (Lebanese Presidency)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with the French delegation on Monday. (Lebanese Presidency)
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Lebanese President Says ‘Forbidden’ to Return to War Rhetoric

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with the French delegation on Monday. (Lebanese Presidency)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with the French delegation on Monday. (Lebanese Presidency)

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Monday it was “forbidden to return to war rhetoric,” while reiterating that the decision to limit the possession of arms to the state “has been taken.”

The issue is being addressed calmly and responsibly in order to protect civil peace, he stressed while meeting a delegation from the French Senate at the Baabda Palace.

Aoun added that the Lebanese army was carrying out its duties in full south of the Litani River in line with the ceasefire agreement reached in November, according to a presidency statement.

It continues to clear villages and towns of ammunition and armed presence, he went on to say, remarking that the process will take some time because of the large area that will be covered.

The main obstacle preventing the army from reaching the southern border is Israel’s occupation of five hilltops, which Aoun said, have no military significance.

Israel’s refusal to withdraw from the area is complicating matters and preventing stability from being restored to the border, which makes their pullout necessary so that the Lebanese army can continue its deployment and allow the state to impose its authority across the country, the president urged.

He told the French delegation that the army is deployed along the northern and eastern borders and is carrying out its duties there, especially combating terrorism, human-trafficking and drug smuggling.

Aoun stressed that he is in contact with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to coordinate over border issues to prevent any unrest.

Joint committees have been formed after Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s visit to Damascus in order to address pending issues, especially the demarcation of the land and maritime borders and Syrian refugees still in Lebanon, Aoun said.

Now that war in Syria is over, the refugees who are still in Lebanon are staying for economic reasons, he explained, saying that Beirut has called on the international community to provide them with assistance to allow them to go back to their country.

The assistance should not be paid in Lebanon, which will only encourage the refugees to stay, he noted.