In a joint press conference with the Libyan Foreign Minister Mohammed Sayala in Tripoli on Monday, the German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called for ceasefire and disarmament in Libya, proposing that Sirte becomes a demilitarized zone.
He also said that his talks with the Head of the Presidential Council Fayez Al-Sarraj centered on the need to reopen oil ports and fields to help rebuild Libya as per political solutions, calling on all parties to make compromises as per Berlin conference conclusions and urging for a fair distribution of oil wealth. He also said Germany was ready to help in mine clearance operations.
Meanwhile, Sayala reiterated that Libya needs no new initiatives as the previous ones had been all useless, expressing GNA’s rejection to the European Union’s Operation IRINI and saying it aims to hinder GNA’s efforts to repel Khalifa Haftar’s aggression, ignoring the continuous flow of weapons and mercenaries to the “other party”.
He also remarked that a new UN envoy to Libya should be appointed because the acting envoy Stephanie Williams wishes to leave her position next October.
“We need to agree on a constitutional basis for elections that ensure democracy and fair use of oil resources.” Sayala added in his presser with German counterpart, Maas.
Sayala also indicated that the GNA is open for political negotiations with all Libyans in order to build a democratic and civilian state, reiterating the need for avoiding the oil sector and facilities any violence and conflicts and that it should be under the sole control and oversight of the National Oil Corporation.
