S/2021/382 Security Council

In accordance with the procedure agreed upon by the members of the Security Council in the light of the extraordinary circumstances caused by the coronavirus disease pandemic, as set out in the letter dated 27 March 2020 from the President of the Security Council addressed to all members of the Council (S/2020/253), I would like to draw your attention to the following. The members of the Council have discussed a draft resolution, submitted by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in connection with the agenda item “The situation in Libya”. That draft resolution, contained in document S/2021/269 and enclosed herein, has been put into blue. In my capacity as President of the Security Council, I hereby put the above- mentioned draft resolution to a vote. The non-extendable 24-hour voting period for this draft resolution will begin at 1.30 p.m. on Thursday, 15 April 2021. The non- extendable 24-hour voting period will expire at 1.30 p.m. on Friday, 16 April 2021. Please submit your vote (in favour, against or abstain) on the draft resolution, as well as your possible explanation of vote, by sending a letter signed by the Permanent Representative or Chargé d’affaires a.i. within the non-extendable 24- hour voting period set out above to the Director of the Security Council Affairs Division in the United Nations Secretariat (egian@un.org). It is my intention to circulate a letter listing the outcome of the vote within three hours of the conclusion of the 24-hour voting period. I also intend to convene a video-teleconference of the Security Council to announce the outcome of the vote shortly after the conclusion of the voting period, on the afternoon of Friday, 16 April 2021. (signed) Dang Dinh Quy President of the Security Council

The Russian Federation voted in favour of the draft resolution on extending the mandate of the Panel of Experts established pursuant to resolution 1973 (2011). In doing so, we are demonstrating our desire for consensus in order to reinforce the positive momentum in the Libyan settlement with the authority of the Security Council. Unfortunately, a number of our comments have not been fully taken into account by the sponsors. As we have emphasized on several occasions throughout the drafting process, we see no need to include in the resolution updated language on ending contacts with Libyan parallel institutions. In their time, they were carefully calibrated and firmly anchored in the provisions of the Skhirat agreement, and now, against the backdrop of the formation of unified Government structures in Libya, they have become irrelevant. Moreover, we still do not see the sanctions aspect to the problem of illegal imports of petroleum products into Libya. The relevant passages are taken from last year’s resolution 2509 (2020), from which we abstained in the voting at the time.

The United States commends the United Kingdom’s delegation as penholder on the two resolutions adopted today, resolutions 2570 (2021) and 2571 (2021), particularly for the cooperative spirit in which they led the process. We also welcome the genuine commitment of the members of the Council to crafting a strong resolution in support of the United Nations-facilitated political process in Libya and the extension of the mandate of the Panel of Experts established pursuant to resolution 1973 (2011), as well as authorizations and sanctions measures related to illicit petroleum exports. Importantly, the Security Council has lent its voice to welcoming the new interim Government, underscoring the importance of preparing for national elections on 24 December and clearly calling for foreign forces and mercenaries to depart the country without delay. Over the past six months, we have observed and contributed to the positive momentum in Libya. The Council has backed Libya’s inclusive political progress through Security Council press and presidential statements. The resolutions adopted today underscore and bolster our firm commitment to underpin continued progress and to hold accountable those who attempt to derail the efforts Libyans are courageously making to prepare for elections, end the conflict and establish peace and security in their country. We must now ensure that forward progress does not falter. Libya’s interim Government of National Unity must focus on unifying institutions, delivering basic services, passing a national budget and transparently distributing resources — and, most critically, preparing for and organizing free and fair national elections on 24 December. It is vitally important that Libyans establish the constitutional and legal basis for national elections without delay. By passing these resolutions, we have shown that the Security Council supports these efforts and expects the interim Government of National Unity and other Libyan institutions to meet their responsibilities, including adhering to the electoral timeline. We also reiterate that all external actors involved in this conflict must cease their military intervention and withdraw from Libya immediately. The ceasefire agreement cannot be successfully implemented as long as foreign forces and mercenaries remain in Libya. In addition, all external military support inconsistent with the United Nations arms embargo must end — including the training and financing of mercenaries and proxy forces. The United States remains firmly committed to Libya’s future, as evidenced by our favourable votes on these resolutions today. We believe that with the international community’s continued support, Libyans can bring a final end to years of conflict and carve out a new future for themselves. It is incumbent upon all of us to support the Libyan people as they continue down this peaceful path towards national elections on 24 December.