The Crisis in Libya: What Can Europe Do?

The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) in co-operation with The Mission of Norway to the EU is  delighted to invite you to an on the record invitation-only discussion on the crisis in Libya based on the recently released policy brief “A European Agenda to Support Libya’s Transition” by ECFR Policy Fellow Mattia Toaldo.

Three years after the revolution and the international intervention, Libya has reached a critical juncture. The country is on the brink of a civil war between those aligning with retired General Heftar and their opponents. The Parliament has been suspended and new elections may be held soon while all the major elements of the transition are lagging behind: constitution-making, the National Dialogue, transitional justice not to speak of a functioning economy. Libya risks anarchy and protracted violence if these elements do not get back on track and a political agreement is not reached soon. External support and pressure is critical to avoid further bloodshed and move ahead Libya’s transition. The discussion will assess what kind of actions Europeans can take to stop violence in the short-term and support the transition in the longer term.