Libya Invasion was a Mistake, President Macron

France’s new President Emmanuel Macron has acknowledged that the “invasions” of foreign forces in Libya to end Colonel Muammar Gadhafi’s rule in 2011 was an error.

In an interview with European Media, a part of which was published by Il Corriere della Sera newspaper, the French President said “(France) was wrong to join the war in Libya.” France under then president Nicolas Sarkozy was a leading player in the call for European intervention in the North African country.

The UN Security Council approved the imposition of a no-fly zone, which, analysts said, was abused by Western countries.

Macron, seemingly outlining his foreign military policy, wondered “what were the outcomes of these invasions?” He answered by saying that they have “destroyed countries in which terrorist groups thrive now’.

“I do not want that to happen in Syria” the French president said even though French forces are still part of the U.S.-led air campaign against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Damascus maintains that the coalition’s operations in Syria are illegitimate.

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Prime Minister-designate of the U.N.-backed Government of National Accord, Fayez Serraj, and expressed support to his Government of National Accord (GNA) as “the sole representative of the Libyan people.” The Tobruk-based House of Representatives and the Tripoli-based General National Congress are other political entities also claiming political authority in the North African country.

Stoltenberg discussed defense and security issues with Serraj. He revealed NATO’s plan to build a modern ministry of defense, a joint military staff, and intelligence services under civilian control in Libya. He also commended Serraj for his “inclusive approach to the political situation” while stressing the importance of all parties to abide by the Libyan Political Agreement for “a political solution to the crisis.”

Serraj’s government has often been criticized by Amnesty International for the human rights abuses committed by Libyan Coast Guards towards illegal migrants seeking to reach Europe.