EU ministers arrive in Libya to support unity govt

EU ministers from France and Germany have arrived in Libya for talks with the head of the UN backed government.

Jean-Marc Ayrault France’s Foreign Minister and Frank-Walter Steinmeier German’s foreign minister visited the North African country to offer their support to the new government.

FM #Steinmeier arrives in Tripoli for visit to #Libya with jeanmarcayrault and 1t of emergency medical supplies 1/2 pic.twitter.com/eHnlrJRGZz

— GermanForeignOffice (GermanyDiplo) April 16, 2016

This is the second visit by European officials in less than one week since the arrival of the unity government in Tripoli. Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni had earlier held talks in Libya on Tuesday.

The unity government headed by Fayez Al-Sarraj is expected to stabilise the warring nation.

According to reports, the European Union is working on rebuilding law and order in Libya and to also ward off a potential new tide of migrants into Italy.

This meeting comes in the backdrop of the recently concluded international summit to discuss ways to aid Libya and was organised under the auspices of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya and the United Kingdom.

Since the ousting of long time ruler Muammar Gaddafi, the oil rich nation has suffered blows of attacks from Islamist militants battling for territory and recognition in the country.

Western governments say the best chance to curb the expansion of IS is by uniting armed factions against them.

Earlier this month, leaders of the UN backed government arrived in the capital and have been operating from a naval base. Known as the Presidency Council, Western countries want the unity government to reconcile and unite Libya’s warring factions.