EU appeals for Libyan unity government, warns of chaos

BRUSSELS – The European Union is urging Libya's factions to support a broad-based unity government or face the prospect of more chaos.

Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said Wednesday the EU hopes "Libyan decision-makers will realize that there is no alternative to a unity government."

Koenders, whose country currently chairs EU meetings, told EU lawmakers that "the alternative is simply chaos, a country on the brink of economic catastrophe."

Libya has been split between two rival governments since 2014, a consequence of the chaos that engulfed the country after a 2011 uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

Koenders warned of the dangers posed by the Islamic State group and uncontrolled migration, saying "the European Union is so close to Libya it is confronted with Libya's threats."