The Libyan crisis: what shall Europe do

While it is up to Libyans to choose their leaders and representatives – Europe’s ability to influence the transition in Libya is strong and should be used more effectively

Guests

Lapo Pistelli, Deputy Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs; ECFR Council Member

Mattia Toaldo, Policy Fellow, ECFR

Chaired by

Silvia Francescon, Head of the Rome Office, ECFR

Europe could do more to protect its interests in Libya. Three years after the revolution, the transition is lagging behind with deadlines for key steps including elections, a new constitution and national dialogue looming and unlikely to be met.

Analysis by ECFR’s Middle East and North Africa Policy Fellow, Mattia Toaldo, notes Libya’s transition has stalled amid widespread apathy for democratic institutions and political parties. Little progress has been made on security, democracy or economic recovery. He says fresh elections, the establishment of a national dialogue to build consensus and the drafting of a new constitution should all take place before the end of this year with the continuing help of international partners like UNSMIL, the EU, the G8 and the P3+3 countries.