Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Explanation of vote by Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia after UNSC vote on a draft resolution on renewal of the mandate of UNSMIL

Mme.President,

The Russian Federation voted in support of the draft UNSC resolution on renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) until 31 January of the next year. In the first place, we proceeded from our firm conviction that there may be no alternative to a comprehensive peaceful settlement of the Libyan crisis under the auspices of the United Nations which plays the central role in this process.

Adoption of this resolution by consensus proves the unfailing support of the international community for the Libyan people at this rather sensitive and responsible stage of political process, namely before the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for December 2021.

We agree with our colleagues that it would be optimal to implement the conclusions and recommendations of the independent strategic review of UNSMIL (including the idea to reform the Mission’s structure) after the electoral process which is so important for the people of the former Jamahiriya has been concluded.

We call on all Libyan stakeholders to use the support of the Council in order to overcome (with the help of UNSMIL) the existing disputes and conjugate efforts in the interests of convening the elections of 24 December that are meant to start a new peaceful page in the history of the Libyan state.

Mme.President, 

As I take it, this is the last meeting of the Security Council held under the Presidency of Ireland. Let me express our appreciation for your able leadership of the Council during the challenging month of September, which hosted the UNGA High-Level Week. Yours was a remarkable, meaningful and effective Presidency that was able to keep consensus in our ranks. I hope this trend will hold. I welcome this consensus on such an important issue for the Council.

Thank you.