Germany: Chancellor Angela Merkel to host Libya Summit in Berlin January 19

Event

Representatives of the German government announced on Tuesday, January 14, that it will hold a conference in Berlin on Sunday, January 19, to discuss peace in Libya. The summit will take place at the German Chancellery. Chancellor Angela Merkel, the leader of the Libyan National Army (LNA) General Khalifa Haftar, the leader of the United Nations (UN) backed Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez al-Sarraj, and several other heads of state and foreign envoys from the US, Russia, China, the UK, France, the EU, and the UN are expected to attend the conference. Consequently, a heightened security presence is anticipated surrounding the venue and in Berlin in general in the days leading up to the summit and on Sunday in particular.

Associated disruptions, including localized traffic, are possible in Berlin on Sunday.

Context

Libya's Speaker of the House of Representatives announced on January 15 that the ceasefire between the GNA and the LNA has ended, and that the conflict will continue. The ceasefire between the GNA and LNA was declared over after General Haftar left ceasefire talks in Moscow on January 14.

The LNA launched an offensive on Tripoli on April 4, 2019, and prompted evacuations of foreigners from Tripoli on April 7, 2019. LNA and GNA airstrikes have been sporadically reported since April 8, 2019. The bulk of recent fighting has been concentrated in the southern suburbs of the capital.

Advice

Individuals in Berlin are advised to monitor the situation, anticipate a heightened security presence and transportation disruptions near the summit venue, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.