Following today's announcement that an agreement has been found on a 'government of national accord' in Libya, the S&D Group expressed strong support for the process and called on the House of Representatives to validate the new government without delay.
S&D vice-president for foreign affairs Victor Boştinaru MEP said:
"We very much welcome the announcement that the Presidential Council has reached an agreement over a national unity government. We have said many times that Libya and the Libyan people can no longer wait: the economic, humanitarian and security situation has become unsustainable and there is a pressing need for a government able to take care of the many urgent issues in the country. It is fundamental that all sides take up their responsibilities, starting with the House of Representatives which needs to endorse the new government in the next few days.
"Many challenges lie ahead and despite this long-awaited progress the situation in Libya remains complex. The new government, once approved, must take office as quickly as possible and must receive all the necessary support from the EU and the international community. The EU has promised to support the national unity government once in place and we hope that all the conditions for this to happen will be there in a matter of days.
"We underline once again that all factions must put the interests of their country before their personal ones and that good co-operation will be beneficial for everybody. The terrorist threat and the extremely serious economic situation will not wait, it's time to allow Libya to achieve its potential through a truly united government and a national army."