Forces of the UN-backed Libyan government are seen in southern Tripoli, Libya, on Dec. 28, 2019. Forces of the UN-backed Libyan government on Saturday announced an advance against the rival east-based army in southern Tripoli. Photo:Xinhua

EU leaders met the head of Libya's UN-recognized government Wednesday as they scramble to contain the escalating crisis there, with Germany warning the country could deteriorate into a "second Syria."

Fayez al-Sarraj, whose beleaguered Government of National Accord is facing an offensive by rival forces who control the country's east, met EU diplomatic chief Josep Borrell, who cautioned that Libya was facing a "watershed point."

He also met EU Council President Charles Michel and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who told reporters that "we want to prevent Libya from becoming the scene of a proxy war or Libya becoming a second Syria."

Borrell's and Maas' warnings came after military strongman Khalifa Haftar's forces seized control of the coastal city of Sirte.

The EU pledged to "step up efforts toward a peaceful and political solution" in a statement released afterwards, hoping the so-called Berlin process - UN-sponsored talks planned for the German capital - can offer a way out.

Maas, who a day earlier took part in emergency talks on Libya with his French, British and Italian counterparts, said Sarraj had given his full support to the Berlin process and pledged to "push ahead with what is to be agreed there -  both a cease-fire and an arms embargo with the neighboring states, but also above all the political process under the aegis of the United Nations." 

As part of Europe's accelerating diplomatic efforts, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte held talks with Haftar in Rome and urged him to stop his offensive.

Conte warned of "the risks to the stability of the entire region" and "called for the military option to be abandoned," the Italian government said in a statement following the meeting.

No date has been fixed for the Berlin conference, but Maas suggested it could happen in the coming weeks.

Borrell, who on Tuesday condemned Turkey for "interference" in the Libya conflict, earlier in the day warned that the situation in Libya was becoming increasingly perilous.

Michel is due in Turkey this weekend for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, while Borrell plans to meet other Libyan leaders including Haftar in search of a breakthrough.

Ankara says it has sent 35 Turkish troops who are carrying out training and coordination tasks to support the Government of National Accord, insisting they will not take part in any fighting.