As part of the Security Council’s ongoing work to address threats to international peace and security, which includes countering terrorism in different parts of the world, a number of Security Council committees on 27 June 2017 held two separate open briefings – one on Countering terrorism in Libya, and one on the same theme pertaining to West Africa
The open briefing in the morning was focused on Libya, and was held jointly by the Counter-Terrorism Committee, the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, and the Libya Sanctions Committee. Despite progress in the fight against terrorist groups, notably in Benghazi and against ISIL (Da’esh) in Sirte, the terrorist threat in Libya remains concerning, according to the open briefing. Political and security instability in Libya risks undermining the strategic objectives of work towards political reconciliation and countering terrorism. The creation of unified state institutions, including unified national security forces under appropriate civilian control, continues to beessential.
All Ambassadors Chairmen spoke at the joint open briefing, as did the Coordinator of the UN Panel of Experts on Libya, the Coordinator of the Monitoring Team of the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, and representatives of UNODC, and UNSMIL.
The open briefing held later the same day focused on West Africa, including the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin subregions, and was held jointly by the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee. In this briefing, it was established that the terrorist threat to the region is multifaceted and derives from many sources. Al-Qaida affiliates remain active in northern and central Mali and pose a sustained threat to local defence and security forces, as well as to international targets. The threat posed by Boko Haram has evolved from a purely Nigerian concern to a regional concern that also involves Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.
Both Ambassadors Chairmen spoke at the briefing, as did the Coordinator of the Monitoring Team of the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, and representatives of the newly created UN Office on Counter-Terrorism, UNDP, and UNOWAS.