United Libya against ISIS ‘will have lasting peacekeeping effect’

Allowing more time for the diplomatic talks to take their course would have a long-lasting effect on the peace securing process and stability in Libya, British Foreign Secretary of State Philip Hammond said today.

Addressing journalists in Malta, Hammond said Britain’s 2011 intervention to Libya was in response to the “real and present threat in Benghazi” that would have otherwise resulted in a humanitarian catastrophe.

“We started the campaign against Gaddafi because there was a real and present humanitarian threat that would have otherwise resulted in a catastrophe. It was necessary for Benghazi to intervene and intervene immediately.

“But today there is a UN process. We can’t be certain that it will be successful but we must certainly give it chance.”

Hammond said that the rising presence of IS in Libya was giving “warring factions an added reason to get together”.

He said that a united national Libyan government should be supported and provided with equipment to fight and drive ISIS out.

“If a unity government secures an important part of the North African coast, it will be safe for the EU too. It is in the EU’s interest to invest in a national unity Libya and we will be in the forefront to fight for that.”

Britain, Italy and Malta are among the countries calling for a second chance to diplomatic talks. The position however comes after UN special envoy Bernardino Leon urged the international community to allow more time for the peace talks amidst calls by Egypt, France and Libya for an international intervention in the North African country.

“I think that these last two days proved to be more positive and Leon thinks that the possibility of national unity is near,” Malta’s deputy prime minister Louis Grech said.

“We sincerely hope that this is the case. We have to give this diplomatic move a second chance after which the UN should take stock of the situation.”

Grech said it was in Malta’s and the EU’s interest that lasting peace and security in Libya are “home-grown”. 

“The first priority is to ensure and allow every possible chance for a national unity that would ultimately secure the rights of the Libyan people.”

He however warned that time is running out and neither the EU nor the international community can ignored or be indifferent towards Libya.

“We feel that the situation in Libya is dangerously chaotic and urgent action has to be taken to ensure that stability and security in Libya prevail.”