Security Council Presidential Statement Endorses New Action Plan to Resume Inclusive, Libyan-Owned Political Process under United Nations Auspices
The Security Council this morning endorsed a new Action Plan for the resumption of an inclusive Libyan-owned political process under the facilitation and leadership of the United Nations.
Through a statement read by Anne Gueguen of France, its President for October, the Council expressed support for the sequential steps in the Plan that aimed to advance the transition towards a unified, representative Government under the framework of the Libyan Political Agreement, as presented by Ghassan Salamé, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, at a high-level event on Libya in New York on 20 September.
It welcomed the swift initiation of the Action Plan through meeting of delegates from the Libyan House of Representatives and High State Council under the auspices of Mr. Salamé, which commenced on 26 September. It looked forward to further implementation of the Plan prior to the holding of parliamentary and presidential elections within a year.
Stressing that there could be no military solution to the crisis in Libya, the Council strongly urged all Libyans to work together in a spirit of compromise under the Action Plan in the framework of the Libyan Political Agreement. In that context, it reiterated the importance of the meaningful participation of women throughout the process.
The Council stressed that all initiatives in Libya should be consolidated under the leadership of the United Nations as agreed to by Fayez al Sarraj, Prime Minister and President of the Presidency Council of the Government of National Accord. All Member States must support the primacy of the United Nations mediation in Libya, it emphasized.
Expressing concern over the deteriorating security, economic and humanitarian situation in Libya, the threat of terrorism, trafficking in persons and illicit goods, it called for the unification of security forces under civilian governance. At the same time, it welcomed Libyan-led efforts to fight Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) and other individuals and groups in Libya on the United Nations ISIL/Da’esh and Al-Qaida Sanctions List. It also underlined the need for all parties to comply with international humanitarian and human rights law and called for bolstered humanitarian assistance.
The meeting began at 10:04 a.m. and ended at 10:11 a.m.
Presidential Statement
The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2017/19 reads as follows:
“The Security Council reaffirms its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya.
“In that regard, the Security Council endorses the United Nations’ Action Plan for the resumption of an inclusive Libyan-owned political process under the facilitation and leadership of the United Nations which was presented by Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Ghassan Salamé, at a high-level event on Libya in New York on 20 September 2017. The Council welcomes the briefing provided by Mr. Fayez al Sarraj, Prime Minister and President of the Presidency Council of the Government of National Accord (GNA), on recent political, security and humanitarian developments in Libya. The Council reaffirms resolution 2259 (2015) and acknowledges Mr. Sarraj’s important role in promoting national reconciliation.
“The Council welcomes the SRSG’s objective to support a Libyan-led transition that will lead to the establishment of stable, unified, representative and effective governance under the framework of the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA). The Council welcomes the swift movement to initiate this process, specifically the meeting of delegates from the Libyan House of Representatives and High State Council under the auspices of SRSG Salamé which commenced on 26 September 2017. The Council looks forward to further sequential implementation of the Action Plan ahead of the holding of parliamentary and presidential elections within a year.
“The Security Council strongly urges all Libyans to work together in a spirit of compromise and to engage constructively in the inclusive political process set out in the Action Plan. The Council reiterates the importance of the meaningful participation of women throughout the process.
“The Security Council reaffirms that the LPA remains the only viable framework to end the Libyan political crisis and that its implementation remains key to holding elections and finalizing the political transition. The Council encourages the Libyan parties to work quickly and cooperatively to amend and fully implement the LPA to enable further progress set out in the Action Plan. The Council recalls paragraph 5 of resolution 2259 (2015) and reaffirms that any attempt by Libyan parties to undermine the Libyan-led, United Nations-facilitated political process is unacceptable.
“The Council underlines that there can be no military solution to the crisis and reaffirms the need for all parties in Libya to exercise restraint and refrain from any violence or actions that could undermine the United Nations-facilitated process. The Council calls on all Libyans to respect the ceasefire, as called for in the Joint Declaration issued after the meeting in Paris on 25 July 2017.
“The Security Council welcomes recent efforts to strengthen an inclusive political dialogue among all Libyans, including important efforts by Libya’s neighbours, international partners and regional organizations, and stresses that all such initiatives should be consolidated under the leadership of the UN as called for by the United Nations Secretary-General and echoed by Mr. Fayez al Sarraj, Prime Minister and President of the Presidency Council of the Government of National Accord. The Council emphasises the imperative for all Member States to support the primacy of the United Nations mediation in Libya.
“The Council also welcomes the Secretary-General’s commitment on behalf of the UN to building stability, security and national unity in Libya, as well as his personal engagement in support of the political process and economic recovery.
“The Council expresses its concern at the deteriorating security, economic and humanitarian situation in Libya, and looks forward to further details on the UN’s plans to continue ramping up its presence in Libya, as well as plans for a new round of voluntary funding for the United Nations Stabilization Facility for Libya and recommendations to increase strategic coordination of UNSMIL and United Nations agencies, funds and programmes in Libya.
“The Security Council further welcomes the SRSG’s commitment, on behalf of the UN country team to intensify the United Nations work on the ground to help improve the living conditions of all people in Libya, including migrants.
“The Security Council expresses concern over the threat of terrorism and trafficking in persons and illicit goods which risk undermining Libya’s democratic transition. In this regard, the Council reiterates the need for unified and strengthened national security forces, under a unified, civilian Government. The Council reiterates that all parties must comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law as applicable.
“The Council welcomes the Libyan-led efforts in fighting the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Da'esh) and other individuals and groups on the United Nations ISIL (Da’esh) and Al Qaida sanctions list in Libya. The Council urges all Libyans to unite in their fight against terrorism.
“The Security Council expresses its intention to monitor progress on the implementation of the United Nations Action Plan, and in this regard, requests the Secretary-General to provide such updates in his reporting in line with resolution 2376 (2017).”