Statement by Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia at UNSC Briefing on Libya
Mr. President,
We are grateful to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Ms. Hanna Tetteh, for her briefing, as well as to Ahmed Al Bibas. We welcome the participation in this meeting of the Permanent Representative of Libya to the United Nations, Mr. Taher Al-Sunni.
This country has been deeply divided for almost fifteen years. While its leaders are unable to reach consensus on how to surmount the complex crisis, the long-term consequences of political instability are taking the toll. The financial and economic sphere is declining: there is a shortage of cash, inflation is rising, and the Libyan dinar is dropping in value. Delays in payments to civil servants have become commonplace. Against this backdrop, the plight of ordinary Libyans is gradually worsening, which in turn is fraught with increased social tension and potential popular unrest. Protests are rippling out through the host of cities in the west of the country, which is a stark manifestation of the above.
The security situation is far from ideal, especially around Tripoli. This part of the country remains a powder keg for conflict. The reason for this is the activity of a large number of armed groups that are accountable to no one and pursuing their own agenda. Armed clashes are also being reported in the southern regions of the country.
On February 3, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi – a prominent politician, public figure and son of the country's former leader – was murdered in Zintan under unclear circumstances, which is a tragic manifestation of the erosion of security and violence spilling over to the political level. We firmly condemn this brutal and inhumane act. We extend our condolences to the family and the loved ones of the deceased. We cherish the hope that the competent bodies will promptly conduct a thorough investigation into what transpired and that the perpetrators will be held to account.
Mr. President,
We welcome the efforts led by the African Union to achieve national reconciliation in Libya. We take note of the approval by the head of the Presidential Council of that country, Mohamed Menfi, of the Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation, which was previously signed by virtually all Libyan parties. We hope that this document will also contribute to the speedy resolution of the protracted crisis.
It is precisely Libya's political unity that is the key to the long-anticipated normalization of all spheres of life in that country. We note the coordinating role of the UN in the Libyan settlement. We extend our support to Special Representative Hanna Tetteh and her efforts to overcome domestic stagnation and remove obstacles to holding nationwide elections in Libya. At the same time, we would like to emphasize that plans to revive the Libyan political process, however ambitious they may be, need to be implemented in a phased manner. This work should be carried out consistently, and within the time lines set out by the UN itself.
In addition, it is necessary to secure consensus within Libyan society on all the ideas laid out in this plan. This needs to be done primarily through targeted and meaningful engagement with Libya’s key stakeholders. After all, it is their willingness to participate in the settlement process that will ultimately be one of the factors determining the success thereof. Various discussion formats tend to serve mostly as supporting tools. Of course, they can be useful under certain circumstances, inter alia for assessing public sentiment, but they will not solve all the problems facing the Libyans.
Mr. President,
Substantial progress in the advancement of a comprehensive and lasting political settlement in Libya is only possible with full-fledged international support and with the requisite participation of all influential external players. Therefore, we support the continued work of the Berlin Process on Libya in its initial configuration. It is important for all structures created within the Berlin format to operate in a duly inclusive manner and for the decisions of certain participants not to be portrayed as the fruit of collective efforts by the states participating in the format.
In conclusion, we reaffirm our support for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Libya, as well as for the achievement of long-awaited peace and stability in that country. We stand ready to continue to deliver all possible assistance in this regard.
Thank you.
