‘People need to know what EU strategy on Libya is ’ – Metsola

The people need to know what the EU’s Libyan strategy regarding the process towards a unity Libyan government, migration and region security, Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola said.

This request was accepted by the majority of MEPs and hence added as a last-minute addition to the European Parliament’s plenary agenda on the Libyan situation.

During a debate with EU High Representative Federica Mogherini,

Metsola warned that a lack of consensus amongst rival Libyan factions on a future unity government has allowed terror groups, like Islamic State, to gain a foothold in the country.

"The EU has an important role to play in supporting UN brokered peace talks,” Metsola said. “Terrorist organisations can only be effectively defeated by a strong and united Libya. It is the Libyans themselves who must be the masters of their own destiny.”

She called on politicians not to paint the “fight against terror” as a clash of civilisations.

"We would be wrong to see the fight against ISIS as a battle between religions,” Metsola said. “ISIS is not representative of Islam. This is a fight against extremists who abuse of religion as a cloak for their barbarous acts."

She also warned the EU to prepare itself for any scenario, given that the Libyan situation is “evolving fast”.

“Thousands of people are at the risk of being displaced and will flee the terror and violence in any way they can,” she said. “Migratory flows in the Mediterranean will continue to persist.

“We must have the courage to look at every instrument available that the European Union can use. This includes looking at whether it is time to deploy assets to the Mediterranean to save lives and boost security, or looking at how legislation like our Temporary Protection Directive can be best utilised to ensure the fair sharing of responsibility between member states."