(CNN)The
head of the Libyan Army has rejected the possibility of cooperating
with any EU military intervention in his country intended to stem the
flow of undocumented migrants trying to reach Europe.
In
an exclusive interview Friday with CNN's Becky Anderson, Libyan army
head Gen. Khalifa Haftar said Libyan authorities had not been consulted
and, in any event, military action would not solve the problem.
"We
will certainly not cooperate, because we were not involved in resolving
this issue," Haftar said. "The decision was taken without consulting
the legitimate Libyan side."
Libyan Army general Khalifa Haftar speaks during a press conference on May 17, 2014.
The
European Union is struggling to cope with an increasing number of
people crowding into unseaworthy boats and trying to reach European
shores. Many of the travelers are fleeing violence and poverty in Libya
and elsewhere in the region.
The capsizing of one vessel last weekend left an estimated 900 people dead.
EU
leaders are considering a plan that would involve military action
against people smugglers at the source -- before they load their boats
with human cargo. Of necessity, such an operation would involve
operations within the territory of North African countries.
Haftar: Crisis needs to be deal with "as a whole"
But Haftar expressed dismay at the prospect in his interview with CNN.
"Military
action against Libyan territory is an unwise decision," he said. "You
need to deal with the Libyan crisis as a whole. We are a sovereign
country that needs to be respected despite what we are going through
right now."
Haftar did not respond
directly when he was asked whether Libyan authorities would confront any
European forces within its territory.
"The
European Union needs to stand with the Libyan people to solve the
crisis instead of taking such decisions," the general said. "The migrant
crisis affects them. But why don't they see that our problems are also
very important? It's important for them to support us either on the
humanitarian front or on the security front."
Pressed
on the point, Haftar replied, "We do what's in the interest of the
Libyan people. The European Union is looking after its own interests so
we will also look after ours."
But he said Libya is open to other kinds of cooperation on the issue of migration.
"If
they take the right approach, we will certainly cooperate," he said,
referring to EU authorities. "The appropriate approach will benefit
Libya and its fight against terrorism. And I repeat, that means lifting
sanctions against Libya -- specifically those against the army."
