Algeria, Major European Union Countries And USA Demand An End To Fighting In Libya

Algeria, the United States of America and major European Union countries such as Germany and France have called on the parties to the conflict in Libya to declare an immediate humanitarian halt to the fighting, in order to help curb the spread of the new “Corona virus”.

On Tuesday, Arab and Western countries called on rival parties in Libya to halt ongoing military actions in the country to allow the authorities to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The Embassies of Algeria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the European Union delegation and the governments of Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates called on all rival parties in Libya to declare an immediate humanitarian cessation of hostilities and a halt to the continued transfer of all military equipment and personnel to Libya to allow local authorities to respond to the unprecedented public health challenge posed by COVID19,” a joint statement said.

“We strongly support the efforts of Libyan health authorities across the country, who are coming together in a spirit of national cohesion, and urge them to take all necessary measures to support the health and well-being of all Libyans,” the statement added.

Marshal Khalifa Hafter’s militias based in the east have been conducting a military campaign since April 2019 in and around the capital Tripoli, attempting to take control of the city and overthrow the UN-backed government but so far in vain.

The fighting has killed and wounded thousands of people and forced more than 150,000 civilians to flee their homes.

On Saturday, UN-backed Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Serraj declared a state of emergency and mobilization against the possible outbreak of coronavirus in the country.

On Monday, Libyan Foreign Minister Mohamed Siala said at a press conference in the capital Tripoli that Libya had officially requested technical assistance from China to fight the lethal virus.