German chancellor Angela Merkel urges EU to find political solution in Libya

During a meeting with a bloc of West African nations, Merkel said it is crucial for Europe to have a "united European position" on how to tackle the ongoing violence.

Speaking in Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou, following a working session with leaders, Merkel called for speeding up the European Union's commitment to find a solution to Libya's brutal conflict.

"We on the European side must speed up our commitments. A number of things have gotten underway, it has to be said, but some things take too long from the perspective of the countries concerned, of course, and that is why I will do my utmost to ensure that things are implemented quickly and reliably," the German leader said.

Merkel's talks with G5 Sahel countries, which include Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Mauritania and Chad, comes as forces loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar continue their offensive to take the capital Tripoli.

Since the conflict began early last month, 102 civilian casualties have been verified, including 23 fatalities, and over 45,000 people have fled their homes, according to the UN migration agency, International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Renegade General Khalifa Haftar launched an offensive on April 4 to seize the Libyan capital from the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA).

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