S/PV.6595 Security Council

I thank Mr. Pascoe for his briefing.

We thank Under- Secretary-General Lynn Pascoe for his comprehensive briefing on the situation in Libya. It has been over four months since the adoption of resolution 1973 (2011) and the start of the military campaign in Libya. We should remind ourselves that the intention of resolution 1973 (2011) was to ensure the protection of civilians, and not regime change or the targeting of individuals. Clearly, action focused on the military solution has not had its intended purpose. Instead, it has worked to destabilize the country even further, and therefore the long-term security and stability of Libya remain uncertain as the situation deteriorates, with more loss of civilian lives and massive destruction of infrastructure. What is required is a commitment to full compliance with resolutions 1970 (2011) and 1973 (2011) in their entirety, in letter and spirit. This will include focusing our energies on finding a political solution to the crisis, as emphasized in paragraph 2 of resolution 1973 (2011), which stresses the need to intensify efforts aimed at a political outcome. In further contributing towards a political solution, the seventeenth ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) was held in Malabo recently and endorsed a set of proposals for a framework agreement on a political solution to the crisis in Libya. The framework agreement, which is based on the AU road map and resolutions 1970 (2011) and 1973 (2011), reiterates Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Al-Qadhafi’s commitment to an inclusive dialogue process, with the participation of the Interim Transitional National Council. This is all based on the agreement of Colonel Al-Qadhafi not to participate in the negotiations on the future of Libya. Allow me to touch on the key elements of the framework agreement, which include, first, national dialogue. The Libyan parties commit to immediately start negotiations in accordance with paragraph 2 of resolution 1973 (2011) and the AU road map. That will address the following issues: an immediate suspension of hostilities, a humanitarian pause, a comprehensive ceasefire, national reconciliation, arrangements relating to the transition, and the agenda for democratic transformation. The national dialogue shall be held under the auspices of the AU Ad Hoc High-level Committee on Libya and the United Nations, through the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, Mr. Al-Khatib, with the support of the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the European Union (EU). Secondly, with respect to confidence-building and other combining measures, the parties will commit themselves to work towards healing and national reconciliation, including considering the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission. The parties will commit themselves to requesting the Security Council to lift the freeze of Libyan assets, as provided for in resolutions 1970 (2011) and 1973 (2011), to the benefit of the interim Government. Thirdly, the international community, represented by the AU, the United Nations, the League of Arab States, the OIC and the EU, commits itself to supporting the process and agreements reached among the Libyan stakeholders. These proposals for a framework agreement have been submitted to the Government of Libya and to the Transitional National Council for their consideration. The AU has asked the Libyan parties “to demonstrate the required political will and place the supreme interest of their country and people above any other consideration”. It is thus imperative for them to commit to a political solution. The Council and the wider international community should impress upon them the necessity for such a political process. We have noted the calls for Al-Qadhafi to go. We maintain that such statements do not bring us any closer to a political solution. We call on all parties to focus on genuinely assisting the Libyan parties to immediately begin a political dialogue in line with the AU road map, as elaborated in the framework agreement. It is only through a Libyan-led and owned political process that a decision on the future of Libya, including that of Colonel Al-Qadhafi, can be based. This is a Charter-given right that will reaffirm the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya. South Africa remains concerned about the implementation of resolutions 1970 (2011) and 1973 (2011). Taking sides in any internal conflict situation in an effort to institute regime change in Libya sets a dangerous precedent that will surely damage the credibility of the Council and its resolutions. We have also noted the call encouraging the unfreezing of Libyan assets. Unfreezing assets to support one side of the conflict would, in our view, be in violation of the sanctions regime and further complicate the situation. The recent report of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on the humanitarian situation in Libya provides a big picture, as has been confirmed by Mr. Pascoe. The report shows that there are significant shortages in water, fuel, spare parts, cash, medicine and other basic amenities. This situation is ever more worrying in light of the approaching month of Ramadan. Given this dire humanitarian situation, we echo the AU’s demand for “an immediate pause in the fighting and in NATO-led bombings, to provide respite to the civilian population, alleviate its suffering and make it possible to deliver the much needed humanitarian assistance to all those in need”. In conclusion, we call on all of the parties to put aside their differences and begin negotiations without preconditions with a view to finding a sustainable political solution that will fulfil the aspirations of the Libyan people. It is our responsibility as the international community to assist the parties in this quest.

There are no further speakers inscribed on my list. I now invite members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on this subject.