Western governments urge political solution to Libya crisis
World powers have issued a statement urging a political solution to the crisis in Libya amid calls for military action in the violence-wrecked country.
On Tuesday, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain said the "brutal" recent beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians by terrorists affiliated with the ISIL Takfiris demonstrated "once again the urgent need for a political solution to the conflict."
A video released by the ISIL militants on Sunday showed the beheading of the Egyptians by the terrorist group. It showed the handcuffed hostages dressed in orange jumpsuits, similar to previous ISIL victims, kneeling down along the seaside near the Libyan capital Tripoli.
The statement said a UN-sponsored attempt to get the country's warring sides to a negotiating table with the aim of forming a government of national unity was the "best hope" for peace in the country.
"The international community is ready to fully support a national unity government to meet the current challenges faced by Libya."
According to the statement the UN special envoy to Libya, Bernardino Leon, would be holding meetings in the coming days with parties in Libya to try and rally support for a unity government.
Those who did not take part would be excluding themselves from a political solution which has become an urgent necessity because of the terrorist threat, the statement said.
The statement came ahead of a UN Security Council meeting on Libya on Wednesday. The Egyptian and Libyan foreign ministers are expected to brief the council on the issue.
Cairo has been pushing for international military intervention in Libya.
On Tuesday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said creating a UN-backed coalition is the best course of action to rid Libya of Takfiri extremists.
Egypt started airstrikes on suspected ISIL Takfiri terrorists in Libya on Monday.
Italy also raised speculation about a possible western intervention last week when two senior Italian ministers made noises about being "ready to fight" and commit troops to combat the terror threat in the African country.
Libya descended into chaos following the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The ouster of Gaddafi gave rise to a patchwork of heavily-armed militias and deep political divisions.
HN/MHB/AS
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