EU welcomes cease-fire in Libya

BRUSSELS -- The European Union (EU) on Saturday welcomed the cease-fire announcements made by the UN-backed Prime Minister of Libya Fayez Serraj and Speaker of the eastern-based parliament Aguila Saleh.

The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said the mutual gesture is a "constructive first step forward" that shows the determination of the Libyan leaders to overcome the stalemate and creates hope for ending the longstanding conflict.

"We fully support the agreement around the principles to immediately cease all military activities across Libya, requiring the departure of all foreign fighters and mercenaries present in Libya, and resume the negotiating process in the framework of the UN-led Berlin process," he said in a statement.

Borrell urged all concerned parties to translate the principles into concrete actions on the ground leading to a permanent ceasefire.

Serraj and Saleh on Friday issued statements announcing a cease-fire in the country as well as calling for a resumption of oil exports and elections in the country.

Serraj's UN-backed government had been engaged in a deadly armed conflict against the eastern-based army, which is allied with the eastern-based House of Representatives, for more than a year over control of the capital Tripoli, before his government recently took over all western Libya.

Libya has been in a civil war since its leader Muammar Gaddafi was ousted and killed in 2011.