Germany pledges 3.5m euros refugee aid to Libya

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Germany on Thursday pledged 3.5 million euros (3.9 million dollars) in refugee aid.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said the money is intended to improve the often horrendous conditions in refugee camps in Libya, which has been ravaged by years of civil war.

The majority of African refugees that cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe do so via Libya.

“Our goal, together with Libya, is to stem the tide of instability,” Gabriel said after arriving in the capital, Tripoli. He called on warring factions to be open to talks and compromise.

 

 

“Only then will there be a chance of a slowdown in the fighting and – in the medium-term – of order and statehood.”

Libya has descended into chaos since the 2011 uprising that toppled long-time dictator Moamer Gaddafi.

The North African country has since been awash with rival militias and weapons.

 

 

Libya is also divided among three rival governments: two in Tripoli, including the UN-backed government of Fajez Sarraj, and a third in the eastern city of Tobruk.

“As if under a burning glass, we can see in Libya the violent political, humanitarian and politico-security consequences of the conflicts in the Middle East,” Gabriel said.

“On the other hand escape, expulsion and migration are a consequence that affects us directly.”

From January to May, more than 60,000 refugees entered Europe via Libya.

In the same time period, around 1,700 refugees died in Libya on their way to Europe.(dpa/NAN)

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