EU Council considers Interim Transitional National Council as “political interlocutor”

At an extraordinary meeting of the Council of the European Union held in Brussels on 11 March 2011, Heads of State and Government debated on the current situation in Libya and the Southern neighbourhood region and set the political direction and priorities for future EU policy and action. The Council saluted the courage demonstrated by the people of the region and reaffirms that it isfor them to decide their future through peaceful and democratic means.

In their conclusions after the meeting of the Council, European leaders expressed that all countries in the region need to undertake or accelerate political and economic reforms. They reiterated that the European Union will support all steps towards democratic transformation, political systems that allow for peaceful change, growth and prosperity, and a more proportionate distribution of the benefits of economic performance. 

Regarding what was the most pressing issue in the agenda, the situation in Libya, the Council expressed EU's strong solidarity with the Libyan people and the victims. The Council firmly condemned the violent repression the Libyan regime applies against its citizens and the gross and systematic violation of human rights.

EU leaders declared that Colonel Khadafi's regime has lost all legitimacy and is no longer an interlocutor for the EU. In this regard, the European Union welcomes and encourages the Interim Transitional National Council based in Benghazi which it considers a political interlocutor. In the Plenary Session held in Strasbourg in the days preceding Council meeting, MEPs called for the recognition of the Interim Council as official representative of the opposition in Libya.  Heads of State and Government also welcomed UN Security Council Resolution 1970 and the referral of the situation in Libya to the International Criminal Court. The use of force, especially with military means, against civilians is unacceptable and must stop immediately.

The Council highlighted that the safety of the people must be ensured by all necessary means, and expressed its deep concern about attacks against civilians, including from the air. In order to protect the civilian population, Member States will examine all necessary options, provided that there is a demonstrable need, a clear legal basis and support from the region.

EU to hold a Summit on Libya with the Arab League and the African Union

Council called for the rapid holding of a summit between the Arab League, the African Union and the European Union, in order to ensure that those responsible for violence will be held accountable and face grave consequences.

Humanitarian crisis and support to MS concerned by migratory movements

The European Union and the Member States have mobilised humanitarian aid and are committed to further assist people in Libya and people crossing its borders, in close cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the International Organisation for Migration, the International Committee of the Red Cross / International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and non governmental organisations.

The Member States most directly concerned by migratory movements also require EU's concrete solidarity. The EU and the Member States stand ready to provide the necessary support as the situation evolves. The EU, in particular through the Frontex Hermes 2011 operation, will continue to closely monitor the impact of events on migratory movements both within and from the region, and will require from Member States to provide further human and technical resources to Frontex.