Munich Security Conference

Steinmeyer: “Libya can make us care”

The civil war in Syria dominated the world politics as well as the talks in Munich. But the foreign Minister warns: the Terror of The so-called “Islamic state” is spreading increasingly also elsewhere.

“For us in Germany and Europe may not care what a few hundred kilometers to the South of Italy on the other shore of the Mediterranean sea takes place”, said Frank-Walter Steinmeier on the sidelines of the Munich security conference. There were several foreign Ministers about the crisis in Libya to advise. It could the Europeans do not care to be, when in the midst of Chaos and civil war, unscrupulous Schlepperbanden undisturbed their criminal business were, said the German foreign Minister continued: “And it can be certainly not no matter if on the edge of Europe the IS Terrormilizen firm foothold.”

In the deliberations on the invitation of Federal foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD) and U.S. Ressortchef John Kerry participated in several EU countries and Egypt part. Libya is regarded as a place of retreat for members of the terrorist group Islamic state of Syria and Iraq. Five years after the first protests against the later ousted and killed dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi are an Islamist and a secular leadership, as well as two competing parliaments. The setting up of the UN-brokered unity government is so far on the resistance of both sides have failed.

Libya: the starting point for thousands of fleeing across the Mediterranean

But now, it is “no more time to lose,” said France’s new foreign Minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault. A rapid formation of a government was “in the interest of the Libyan people, the countries of the Region and of Europe”. Steinmeier reiterated the readiness of Germany to help in the stabilization of Libya. Now was “the Moment, demonstrate responsibility for Libya”. Germany, Europe and the international community are ready to provide all possible assistance to offer. This is true also for the building of state structures and for the training of security forces”. The time of the Taktierens over, said Steinmeier.

rb/haz (afp, ap, dpa, rtr)