Ministers Meet In Germany To Continue Push To Cut Arms Supplies To Libya

Foreign ministers and other top officials from around a dozen countries are meeting in Germany to continue the push for Libyan peace.

It comes after countries with interests in its civil war agreed to honour an arms embargo and support a full ceasefire.

Meeting on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Germany and the United Nations are aiming to maintain a drive to cut off external arms support for the warring sides.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the January 19 agreement by leaders in Berlin had been violated time and time again - by continuing arms deliveries and an escalation in fighting.

Libya has been in turmoil since 2011, when long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled by a civil war.

A weak UN-recognised administration which holds the capital of Tripoli and areas in the west is supported by Turkey, which recently sent thousands of soldiers to Libya.

On the opposing side is a government in the east which supports self-styled General Khalifa Hifter - his forces launched an offensive to capture Tripoli in April 2019.

Cover image: Library image of security forces south of Libyan capital Tripoli (Picture: PA).