VP/HR — Libya and Islamic militias
17.4.2014
Question for written answer E-005118-14
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 117
Carlo Fidanza (PPE)
Libya is beginning to disintegrate, and a paradoxical consequence of the so-called humanitarian intervention in defence of the Libyan people has been a proliferation of Islamic fundamentalist forces. In Libya, although popular support for them is often scarce, these movements manage to exercise significant pressure on the government, with numerous violent actions.
The chaos is spreading alarmingly throughout the region. The country is flooded with 15 million rifles and other weapons, and, this month, a report by the UN expert committee has found that ‘Libya has become a prime source of illegal weapons’. These weapons are feeding the chaos in 14 countries, including Somalia, the Central African Republic, Nigeria and Niger. Qatar helps to ship armaments to Syria, where Russian-made weapons and those from the Gaddafi regime’s stockpiles are supplied to the Islamic fundamentalist rebels.
There is a real possibility that the country may descend into civil war or split.
Unless serious negotiations are begun with regard to its many problems, Libya will certainly continue its descent into chaos, with the risk that the whole region may be dragged into the mire.
In view of the above, can the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy state:
- 1.whether she is aware of the situation;
- 2.whether she intends, together with the Member States involved, the Libyan authorities and neighbouring countries, to adopt initiatives intended to prevent such a strategic country for European interests from falling into anarchy, along the lines of events in Somalia?
OJ C 426, 27/11/2014