Libya: Joint Communique on Libya

Source: Government of France, Government of the United Kingdom, Government of Italy, Government of Saudi Arabia, Government of Turkey, Government of Germany, Government of Spain, United Nations, Government of Egypt, European Union, Government of the United Arab Emirates, Government of Qatar, Government of Algeria, Government of Tunisia

Joint Communique　　 Office of the Spokesperson　　 Washington, DC　　

September 22, 2014　　

The following is the Joint Communique on Libya by the governments of Algeria, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union and United Nations.

The governments of Algeria, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and the European Union and United Nations condemn the ongoing violence, terrorism, and extremism hijacking Libya’s development and democratic process. We call on all parties to accept an immediate, comprehensive ceasefire and engage constructively in a peaceful political dialogue to resolve the ongoing crisis, abstaining from confrontational acts that risk undermining it. We fully support the efforts of Special Representative of the Secretary General Bernardino Leon to secure a negotiated settlement and appreciate the work of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya in this regard. We welcome the announcement of the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the acceptance of Libyan parties to participate in a UN-facilitated political dialogue, beginning on September 29, to put an end to the current conflict. We also support the complementary efforts of Libya’s neighbors and partners to promote national consensus and reconciliation and their efforts to address Libya’s humanitarian crisis. Specifically we commend and support the efforts of Libya’s neighboring states and the August 25 Cairo political initiative, the September 17 Madrid conclusions, the September 26 neighboring countries’ ministerial in New York, and the Algerian initiative to convene Libyan leaders and political forces to participate in a dialogue leading to national reconciliation in October.

There is no military solution to this conflict. We support the implementation of UNSCR 2174 to address threats to Libya’s peace and stability. We remind all parties of their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Those responsible for violence and those who obstruct and undermine Libya's democratic transition must be held accountable.

We underscore the legitimacy of the House of Representatives as the sole legislative authority in Libya. Strongly committed to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and national unity of Libya, we call on Libya’s interim government and all elected members of the House of Representatives to adopt inclusive policies that benefit all Libyans and thus form a government that represents all Libyans and meets the aspirations of the Libyan people for security, reconciliation, and prosperity. We encourage the Constitutional Drafting Assembly to advance its efforts to draft a document that enshrines and protects the rights of all Libyans. Further, we encourage the international community to support Libya's elected institutions towards an inclusive political dialogue, reconciliation, and democratic transition, so that they can perform their duties in the interest of all citizens.

We reject any outside interference in Libya. The people of Libya fought to overthrow 42 years of dictatorship and we continue to support their effort to transform Libya into a secure, democratic, and prosperous state.

We agree to reconvene in 60 days in Madrid to discuss developments in this regard.