Secretary-General's remarks to the press following the "International Conference in support of the new Libya"

I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to President [Nicolas] Sarkozy of France and Prime Minister David Cameron [of the United Kingdom], for their leadership in convening this timely meeting today. This is the second time in Paris, where we first had a meeting six months ago.

I especially welcome the broad participation of the whole international community. The member countries who have been supportive and active, or those countries which have even been reluctant in joining the coalition forces to bring about peace and freedom and security to the Libyan people.

It sends a strong and unmistakable signal of international unity in support of our work for a democratic and stable Libya. I would like to particularly commend the leadership and determined courage of the people of Libya, led by Chairman [Mustafa Abdel] Jalil and also Prime Minister [Mahmoud] Jibril. I count on their continuing leadership.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today's discussions have been very ambitious, concrete and wide-ranging.

All agreed that, at this critical time, the whole international community must work together and speak with one voice with an effective and well-coordinated programme of action.

All agreed, as well, that the United Nations should lead this campaign. I would like to particularly thank all the members who have taken part in today's meeting who have unequivocally supported, [given] strong support to the proposals which the United Nations has put forward in close consultation with the leadership of the NTC.

Those plans are now well-advanced.

In terms of substance, today's meeting focused principally on the urgent needs and priorities presented by the leadership of the National Transitional Council, represented by its Chairman and Prime Minister here.

Clearly, the most immediate challenge for us, for the international community, is how to address humanitarian challenges.

Roughly 860,000 people have left the country since February, including skilled guest workers.

Medicine, food, fuel and water, particularly, are in short supply - there is a major crisis on this matter.

I am very much moved by such strong support by the international community to provide, generously, humanitarian assistance.

While moving urgently to respond to these humanitarian needs, the United Nations is also working closely with the Libyan leadership to identify their needs and priorities for the longer-term post-conflict phase.

In our meetings today, the NTC identified a number of areas for such assistance, which I have reported to today's meeting.

They range from transitional justice, protection of human rights, and policing to help in preparing elections and institution-building and constitution making.

Time is of the essence.

In the days ahead, we will look to the Security Council for prompt action on a mandate.

The United Nations will then deploy a civilian mission as rapidly as possible.

Our humanitarian team is already on the ground in Tripoli.

I have asked my Special Adviser for Post-Conflict Planning, Mr. Ian Martin, to travel to Tripoli immediately after this meeting to accelerate our preparations for a UN assistance mission that reflects the needs and priorities of the Libyan people and transitional authorities.

In closing, let me emphasize two things.

First, the principle of national ownership.

Libya's future is for the Libyan people to decide and determine.

Today and in the weeks and months ahead, the international community will work with Libya's transitional authorities to identify what needs to be done, and, in partnership, to do it.

Second, the importance of effective coordination.

Working closely with the Libyan leadership, and with one another, we must keep confusion and duplication of effort to a minimum.

Time and financial resources must not be wasted.

Monsieur le President, Mesdames et Messieurs,

Les Nations Unies sont prêtes. Je compte sur le plein soutien de la communauté internationale.

En travaillant ensemble, en partenariat, nous pourrons envisager avec optimisme l'entrée de la Libye dans une nouvelle ère de son histoire moderne - une nouvelle ère de démocratie, de paix et de prospérité renouvelée pour l'ensemble du peuple libyen.

Merci. Thank you very much.