The arms embargo in place to curb the violent war in Libya has become a meaningless "joke," said United Nations Deputy Special Representative to Libya Stephanie Williams.

Williams added: "The arms embargo has become a joke, we all really need to step up here." 

The European Union foreign ministers will discuss Libya today. The EU is considering whether and how to have naval ships enforce the UN arms embargo against Libya.

As fighting continues despite a fragile truce, the UN envoy said that the situation is "complicated because there are violations by land, sea, and air, but it needs to be monitored and there needs to be accountability." She warned that Libya was now awash with advanced weapons.

On 19 January, Germany hosted a peace summit bringing together all countries with interests in the conflict - as well as the two warring sides. All agreed to respect the disregarded international arms embargo on Libya.

However, since the meeting, the truce has been ignored many times, as the Libyan National Army (LNA) continues its final push to take Tripoli.

Last Wednesday, the UN Security Council endorsed a 55-point road map for ending the war in Libya and condemned the recent increase in violence.

The LNA, which is backed by Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, France and Russia, has been fighting off a ten-month-long offensive over Tripoli which is the last stronghold of the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) of premier Fayez al Sarraj, who is backed by Turkey, Qatar, and Italy.