Libya - Q&A from the press briefing (15 June 2020)

Q: France asserts that it is not taking sides in Libya. Yesterday, the Elysée denounced Turkey’s interventionism as “unacceptable,” saying that “France cannot let them get away with that.” Do you believe the Russian and Emirati interference is as unacceptable as Turkey’s, and do you condemn that interference as clearly as Turkey’s? And when France says it will not let them get away with that, what do you envision, concretely, to stop Turkish interventionism?

A: France condemns all foreign interference in Libya without exception. Although both Libyan camps have agreed to commit to ceasefire negotiations, forces favorable to the Government of National Accord are continuing their offensive, with massive support from Turkey in violation of the UN arms embargo.

France is contributing significant naval and air power to the EU’s Operation IRINI to implement the arms embargo, in line with the conclusions of the Berlin conference.

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affair Jean-Yves Le Drian joined his German and Italian counterparts and the EU High Representative on June 9 in demanding an immediate truce and the swift conclusion of a ceasefire under the auspices of the UN. Continued foreign interference, and particularly the intensification of Turkish support, are in direct contradiction with this goal. It is unacceptable and must stop.