EU Urges Sides in Libya to Back Gov't of National Accord as Legitimate Authority

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — All Libyan political forces should support the Government of National Accord (GNA) as a sole legitimate authority in the country in order to restore work of the state institutions and create stability, the European Union External Action Service (EEAS) said in a statement on Wednesday.

"To become a secure, democratic, prosperous, and unified state, where state authority and the rule of law prevail, Libya needs inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation. The GNA needs the support of all Libyan forces and economic institutions in order to restore essential services, provide humanitarian assistance, and resume oil production to strengthen Libya’s economy for the benefit of all Libyans," the statement reads.

The block reiterated its support for the Libyan Political Agreement and for the GNA "as the sole legitimate government of Libya."

Libya has been in a state of turmoil since 2011, when a civil war broke out in the country and long-standing leader Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown, and the country was contested by two rival governments — the internationally-recognized Council of Deputies based in Tobruk and the Tripoli-based General National Congress.

The United Nations helped to bring about a ceasefire in late 2015 and on March 31 the UN-backed unity government took office in Tripoli. The government has so far failed to unite the country.