European leader urges foreign fighters to leave Libya At a news conference in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, EU Council President Charles Michel described the appointment of a transitional government earlier this year as a “historic moment.” Monday 05/04/2021 Najla Al-Manqoush, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, holds a press conference together with Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, April 4, 2021, in Tripoli. (AP) CAIRO--The European Union on Sunday called for the departure of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya, describing it as a “precondition” for a return to stability in the war-torn country. At a news conference in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, EU Council President Charles Michel described the appointment of a transitional government earlier this year as an “historic moment.” The government is meant to shepherd the country through until general elections on December 24.