Thank you very much. I will be glad to answer some of your questions.
(Question: Haftar has attacked Benghazi with the blessing of HoR in Tobruk, and in Zintan they have attacked Kikla, which is 60 kms away. All those actions are undermining dialogue. So what do you say about those actions? )
Leon: The situation in Benghazi, as I said before, it’s very serious and very concerning. Let me be very clear on the principles that should be recalled for the situation in Benghazi. First of all, according to what we hear this is an action intended to fight terrorism. And as I said before, terrorism is something the State and only the State should fight. So, if there is any militia involved, any irregular forces involved this is not going to reinforce the possibilities for this country to overcome the crisis. Because the principles, the decisions have to be the same for everyone. We are saying very clearly: all militias have to abandon the cities, have to allow, to give room and possibility for politicians to address this situation, this crisis.
I am not saying that Libya should not fight terrorists and terrorism, and I am not saying that there is no terrorist threat in Benghazi. There is a terrorist threat and this is a huge concern for the international community. But anywhere in the world where the terrorist fight is effective is when the target is specifically terrorist and terrorist groups. When this action uses an overwhelming force, when this action involves the possibility of civilians suffering and civilians being part of this, or even an action that is not isolating and clearly targeting terrorists, we don’t think this is going to be an effective way to deal with terrorism on the medium and long run.
Regarding what you said about HoR attacking Benghazi, let me insist in this point. I don’t think this is a question that has been debated at the HoR. I know there have been statements, but my information is that there has not been voting or statement agreed at the HoR on this issue. I can tell you that I have been talking to different members of the HoR who are very concerned about this situation. So I think we should be careful when we talk about this issue.
And I can tell you the same about the situation in Nafusa. It’s a very serious concern and very serious threat to the political process in the country. Let me once again reiterate the importance of this announcement by Mr. Agila after the conversation we had yesterday to support humanitarian assistance. It is very important to provide this humanitarian assistance. There are people suffering. His comment yesterday was that the army has to protect this humanitarian assistance because they have to protect all Libyans, and I completely agree. This is what we would like to see, a ceasefire that is respected by all, by the State, by all militias that are taking this country to an extremely difficult situation.