Libya’s political development is at a crossroads. The government of national unity must now be endorsed by the parliament in Tobruk – that is one of the central elements of the peace agreement brokered by the United Nations which the parties to the conflict signed in December.

Yesterday, 101 deputies gave their seal of approval to the current cabinet list by lending their signatures. This courageous initiative by a majority in the Libyan Parliament deserves our full support. I call upon Parliament President Aguila Saleh to now carry out a vote of confidence on the cabinet list in the very near future.

The recent reports on heavy fighting in Benghazi, the second largest city in Libya, are a sharp reminder that there is no time left for tactical manoeuvring: the time has come to show responsibility for Libya. This is the only way to finally tackle the pressing problems of violence and IS terror.