British newspaper: A European plan for a military expedition in Libya
Press report reveals European plan to send military mission to Libya
A leaked document from the European Union indicated the bloc’s intention to send a military mission to Libya, the British newspaper EUobserver revealed. The leaked document stated that this is part of international efforts to remove mercenaries from the country with the aim of ensuring a peaceful political transition culminating in presidential and parliamentary elections at the end of this year.
The international community considers the presence of mercenaries and foreign forces in Libya to be the main impediment to the political transition that will hopefully end with the elections of December 24. The European Union has always expressed its support for the expulsion of mercenaries and has appealed to foreign forces to leave Libya, but in light of the intransigence of some parties, it seems that the European side has found no solution but to intervene militarily, according to the newspaper.
EUobserver pointed out that the aim of a military mission was to curb Turkey’s influence and interventions in the country, a direct reference to Ankara’s responsibility for the entry of thousands of mercenaries.
“The leaked document says that many foreign fighters are still being raised in Libya, that the trade in oil, arms and even human beings continues unabated, and that Turkey continues to violate UN resolutions by training armed forces in Libya and refusing to inspect suspected arms shipments.”
The document notes that these excesses prompted the EU to propose that its military participate with a mandate to support Libyan security sector reform.
“The European Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson quickly denied these claims, stressing that Brussels is not discussing a military mission to Libya at the moment.”
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has said that the time has come to implement a timetable for the departure of foreign elements.
“So far, the EU has provided support to Libya through two missions, one civilian and one naval, Operation IRINI, to monitor the arms embargo.”
