Germany anticipates ”Berlin 2” by calling for the withdrawal of mercenaries from Libya

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Wednesday called for the withdrawal of all mercenaries from Libya.

In press statements ahead of the Berlin conference, Maas said that parliamentary elections should be held on December 24 as planned in Libya, which has been plagued by years of civil war.

He added : “In cooperation with the Libyan government and the UN, we will continue to work towards this.”

Today’s conference is held at the level of foreign ministers. Participating countries include the United States, Russia, China, Egypt and the UAE.

In January 2020, Maas and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, along with the UN, first invited countries involved in the Libyan conflict to Berlin.

Until then, the aim had been to end external interference in arms deliveries and mercenaries, but so far that goal had not been successfully achieved.

According to the latest UN estimates, there are still about 20 thousand foreign mercenaries in Libya.

Maas, however, sees positive results : “Just two years ago, Libya was under threat of plunging into a spiral of chaos and violence,” he said, adding that tangible progress had been made through perseverance and close cooperation with the UN, exemplified by the ceasefire in place since last October and the formation of a national unity government.

He continued : “This gives the citizens of Libya reason for hope.”

Foreign ministers of countries involved in the Libyan conflict are meeting in Berlin today to discuss ways to bring more stability to the war-torn country.