EU considering sanctions against two Libyan leaders

The European Union is considering travel bans and assets freeze on at least two Libyans considered to be blocking the UN’s effort to form a unity government, diplomatic sources said on Tuesday.

Libya Herald, a news website, reported that the EU was mulling travel bans and asset freezes on General National Congress (GNC) president, Nuri Abu Sahmain, and its-appointed prime minister Khalifa Ghwell.

“We want the political process to go forward but we are also ready to penalize those who want to obstruct it,” said one person close to the issue who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue.

This is not the first time the EU is considering sanctions on Libyan authorities but the rejection of the Unity government on Monday has made the union to act after being frustrated by a string of delays.

The European Union had promised 100 million euros of immediate and substantial support for Libya once they formed a unity government and resolved security issues within the country.

The United Nations had urged Libyans to embrace the unity government as a step forward to resolve the country’s political crisis and armed conflict that erupted since the ousting of Muammar Gadaffi.

The Presidential Council was given one month to name a Government of National Accord to stabilise the country which was thrown into turmoil following growing threats from Islamic State militants.