Libyans face EU sanctions after snub

Individuals subject to travel bans and assets freeze

BRUSSELS // The European Union ( EU) is considering sanctions against several Libyans who failed to approve a UN-sponsored peace deal, EU foreign ministers said after Russia and China held back an international proposal to blacklist those blocking an accord. The EU said a UN- backed deal was the only way to end the war between rival governments vying for power in the country four years after the removal of Muammar Qaddafi, and would use sanctions to try to force all parties to negotiate.

“Today EU foreign affairs ministers discussed sanctions against individuals in Libya for the first time,” said Italian foreign minister Paolo Gentiloni. “We are talking about three to four individuals.” Ministers did not name those who could be targeted with asset freezes and travel bans. Last month the United States, France, Spain and Britain sought to blacklist two men linked to the rival administrations in Libya.

The four countries requested a global travel ban and asset freeze on Othman Maliqta, a militia leader loosely allied with Libya’s internationally recognised government, and Abdulrahman Swehli, a Misrata politician tied to the rival Libya Dawn administration.

China and Russia asked that the proposal be put on hold. Some Libyan warring factions signed an initial UN-sponsored agreement this month to form a unity government and end fighting. But the Tripoli-based parliament – the general national congress – refused to attend.

The EU wants a national unity government to be set up so that it can seek Libya’s formal approval for a naval mission to combat people smugglers operating off the Libyan coast and responsible for a large migrant influx into Europe.