CAIRO (AP) — The newly appointed U.N. envoy to Libya said Tuesday he doesn’t believe foreign intervention can halt the North African country’s slide deeper into turmoil after mysterious airstrikes against Islamist militias prompted allegations that outside powers were trying to swing the fight.
The diplomat, Bernardino Leon, said that only an inclusive political process with all Libyans represented in parliament, government and other state institutions will end the chaos gripping the country more than three years after the uprising that forced longtime strongman Muammar Gadhafi from power.
“Foreign intervention whatsoever— because there are many types of intervention— any kind of intervention or foreign intervention won’t help Libya get out of chaos,” Leon said.
France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States raised similar concerns, saying in a joint statement that “outside interference in Libya exacerbates current divisions and undermines Libya’s democratic transition.
