Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj issued an appeal to "hurry" because the worsening situation in Libya could push "800,000 migrants and Libyans to invade Italy and Europe." He said among this enormous group of migrants there are also criminals and above all jihadists linked to the so-called Islamic State group ISIS.
Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj has launched an explosive alarm from Tripoli, amidst worsening conflict in the battle for the capital. "Eight hundred thousand migrants are ready to invade Italy and Europe," Sarraj said. The prime minister of Libya's national unity government put the conflict in a European perspective by highlighting the potentially most dramatic consequences for an EU already struggling with divisions over migration.
On Monday, Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte met with Libyan Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Maitig and with Mohammed Al Thani, foreign minister of one of Tripoli's main allies in the Gulf, Qatar. Sarraj appealed to the international community: "Hurry, General Khalifa Haftar has betrayed".
Italy 'hopes for immediate ceasefire'
Sarraj's comments came on Monday when in Libya, the forces of the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Haftar seemed to be losing ground. Conte, despite declarations of his government's neutrality, made clear its distance from Haftar. "We are hoping for an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of LNA forces," Conte said, after having met with Maitig and Al Thani. Conte harshly criticized those abroad who are financing Haftar's offensive. "Those who thought a military option could favor a solution for stability in Libya are now being refuted. Political dialogue is once again shown to be the only sustainable solution," he said.
A political solution
Conte didn't refer directly to any country but his words came after days of talk about France's support of the LNA's military action, as well as Saudi Arabia's financial support for Haftar in terms of tens of thousands of dollars. The Italian government favors a political solution over these actions. "We have to avert a humanitarian crisis that could be devastating not only for the fallout on Italy and the EU but in the interest of the Libyan people themselves," Conte said. He highlighted the government's agreement with the US over the need for a political solution and firmly maintained the Italian government's "direction" on Libya.