The embassy of Germany has reopened in Libya, as its foreign minister Heiko Maas arrived in Tripoli and said that the scheduled December elections must take place.
The German mission to Libya was moved to neighbouring Tunisia in 2014 when almost all embassies left Tripoli as violence erupted in the capital city.
Upon his arrival in Tripoli, Maas said: “The fact that I am primarily talking about civic participation rather than civil war in Tripoli today is a genuine step forward”.
In October 2020, a ceasefire was agreed between armed groups, which has taken place.
The ceasefire paved the way for an interim government, which assumed office earlier this year, with presidential and parliamentary elections planned to take place in December 2021.
But there are concerns the elections may be delayed as politicians argue over the legal framework which will guide the election.
In the past, Germany has made effort to act as an intermediary between competing factions in Libya and has hosted summits with key international players and Libyan figures.
Mass said: “The former parties to the conflict have acknowledged that there can be no violent solution for their country.
“For lasting stability, Libya now needs nationwide elections to give rise to political institutions.
“That is why it is so crucial that these elections take place. The separation of powers instead of violence is the challenge that the country faces right now.”
He praised the efforts of Libya to achieve more stability over the past two years.
“Today there’s a national unity government, the oil blockade has been ended, and the weapons have mostly been silenced.
“Libya needs continued international engagement to achieve progress for all people in Libya.
“It is for this reason that I came to Tripoli to reopen the German Embassy here.”
