EU’s Mogherini Visits Libya to Reopen Bloc’s Mission

Federica Mogherini, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, has visited Libya’s capital, Tripoli, to reopen the bloc’s diplomatic presence and border assistance mission.

“The return of the diplomatic presence of the EU in Libya will further strengthen cooperation with the government, local authorities and the United Nations,” the bloc said in a statement on Saturday, reported Al Jazeera.

The EU relocated its Libya delegation to Tunis in 2014, as the country was mired into chaos after the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed former leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Mogherini met the head of Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Accord, Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and Foreign Minister Mohamed al-Taher Siala, alongside the UN’s envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame, the EU said.

“Our presence here will be now much more regular. I had an excellent meeting with President al-Sarraj, we discussed the support the European Union is giving to Libya, to the Libyan people,” Mogherini said.

“We are the first partner for Libya when it comes to humanitarian aid, when it comes to development cooperation but also we are the first economic partner for Libya and with the president we have discussed not only the political support the European Union is giving to the political process, also the preparation for elections, but also we have discussed new projects,” she added.

Rival Libyan leaders agreed to a French-brokered deal in May to hold elections by the end of this year, but there are still concerns over whether a vote can take place.