S/PV.7964 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Libya to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2017/490, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2357 (2017). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the vote.

As we all know, Libya continues to suffer from political instability. A comprehensive political solution, along with development and capacity-building, is urgently needed to improve its stability. But in the meantime, illegal arms smuggling into Libya is fuelling and prolonging its internal conflict, and that instability affects both the region and others farther afield. As the author of resolution 2357 (2017), we are therefore pleased that the Council has remained united on the issue of renewing the measures we put in place last year for a further 12 months, in order to help stop illegal arms entering Libya by sea. It demonstrates that the international community is serious about improving Libya’s security. I also want to pay tribute to Operation Sophia of the European Union (EU). Over the past year, assets and personnel from EU member States have worked to deter those who wish to smuggle illegal arms into Libya, and Sophia is so far the only operation that has implemented such measures. Operation Sophia’s efforts to deter and reduce the flow of arms into Libya have provided an important space for dialogue between the Government of National Accord and other Libyan actors. The recent clashes in Libya have only emphasized the importance of the international community’s support for dialogue between Libyan stakeholders towards the political solution that is essential to achieving a more stable Libya. Today’s resolution is an important part of that support.

Italy welcomes the Security Council’s unanimous adoption today of resolution 2357 (2017), which extends the legal framework in place for inspecting vessels suspected of violating the arms embargo on the high seas off the coast of Libya. In speaking with one voice today, the Council has once again highlighted its strong commitment to Libya’s stability and security and has emphasized the importance of working together to protect Libya from the threat posed by a combination of terrorism and arms proliferation. The Mediterranean Sea, especially off the Libyan coast, has been the scene of multiple challenges in the form of human trafficking and the smuggling of weapons, oil and other related products. All such flows benefit from the country’s volatile situation and have the potential to increase the intensity, duration and complexity of the crisis in Libya. As we know, stabilizing Libya is the best way to tackle the problem. Italy is pursuing that strategic goal by supporting the Presidency Council and the institutional framework validated by the Libyan Political Agreement, and helping to broaden its base of support through wider reconciliation. At the same time, no effort should be spared to enhance security in the Mediterranean Sea. In that respect, the European Union Military Operation in the Southern Central Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED) is providing an important tool for the international community in terms of information-gathering on situations in the most complex and unstable areas of the Mediterranean Sea. It plays a role as a security- provider both for the neighbouring countries and for Europe. In addition to its core task, EUNAVFOR MED is playing a significant role in helping the important implementation of the arms embargo in Libya that the Security Council itself has set, acting as a deterrent against flows of weapons being transferred by sea. Let me conclude by thanking the United Kingdom for its leadership in the negotiation of resolution 2357 (2017) and all Council members that engaged constructively on it, including during the helpful interactive dialogue held a few days ago by the Security Council with Commander Credendino and Deputy Secretary General for Common Security and Defence Policy Pedro Serrano.

We support the initiative to extend for a further year the special control regime on the high seas off the coast of Libya, established under resolution 2292 (2016), with the objective of ensuring respect for the Security Council’s arms embargo. Those measures apply to flows both into Libya and out of Libya. Such special instruments can be useful, as the Libyan crisis remains a serious source of regional instability, accompanied by illicit trafficking in arms. We expect more effective inspection actions in that maritime area, which must take place with unswerving compliance for international law. It is, unfortunately, difficult to refer to last year’s outcomes as impressive. We underscore that international and regional efforts to reach a settlement in Libya must be forged on the basis of an understanding and assessment of the priority tasks necessary to unite the country and its Government institutions, including of course the structures of power. This applies to assistance in the military field, including in conducting training programmes. Libyans must feel that their international partners are not interested in creating new divisive lines such as those that in recent years have prevented Libya from re-establishing its statehood. Any policy in this field that is careless or disconnected from reality could lead to further mistakes. We cherish the hope that the mediation role of the United Nations will lead to success. All activities of the world Organization should be underpinned by the principles of objectivity, impartiality and assistance to the Libyans in unifying their State and resolving Libya’s current problems, first and foremost in the field of combating terrorism. It is quite clear that the United Nations work on Libya must be based on the consolidated support of foreign players, which in turn must act according to the same rules of the game. Russia and Libya are linked by long-standing friendly relations, and we have always championed a unified, flourishing Libya. Our actions are guided by the objective of rapidly resolving the challenges facing today’s Libya, which require joint regional and international efforts. We stand ready to participate in any such work.

Egypt welcomes the adoption of resolution 2357 (2017). In that regard, I wish to stress the following points. First, the resolution that we have just adopted addresses only one of the many challenges facing Libya, namely, the interception and inspection of ships bearing illegal shipments of weapons. I note that the security challenges facing our brother country Libya go far beyond the issue of arms smuggling to extremist groups and terrorists. The international community in general, and the Security Council in particular, must therefore firmly counter the grave challenges facing Libya, given the fact that certain States of the region are funding those terrorist and extremist groups and facilitating the flow of foreign terrorist fighters to Libya and beyond to a wider geographical circle, including through the Mediterranean Sea. Secondly, we must make further efforts to intercept and inspect vessels suspected of carrying weapons to and from Libya. We are confident that the volume of smuggled weapons is far greater than those which are intercepted or stopped. We have therefore called for a more determined and resolute implementation of the embargo. Thirdly, we again ask the international community and the Security Council to lift the arms embargo imposed on the Libyan armed forces, which have shown that they are the cornerstone of Libya’s defence against terrorism. The Security Council must therefore help the Libyan armed forces to fully assume their responsibilities to protect Libya and their neighbours and countries further afield. In conclusion, I reiterate the need to reach a political solution to the Libyan crisis, including through the timely convening of a joint committee of the House of Representatives and the High State Council to agree the necessary consensus amendments to the Libyan Political Agreement, and the formation of a Government of national unity that would represent all parties in Libya and enjoy the trust of Parliament.

I would like to briefly echo colleagues in expressing support for the unanimous adoption of resolution 2357 (2017), which provides a legal framework for the implementation of the arms embargo on the high seas off the coast of Libya. The continued proliferation and smuggling of weapons to and from Libya remain a serious threat to peace and security. They escalate the already volatile situation on the ground, fuel the threat of terrorism and contribute to the destabilization of Libya and the wider region. In addition, they risk undermining the only path to long-term peace and stability in Libya, namely, a Libyan-led, United Nations-supported political process based on an inclusive Libya Political Agreement. Breeches of the weapons embargo and the military escalations are directly impacting the security of the civilian population. In fact, more civilians were killed or injured in May than in any other month this year, falling victim to, for instance, gunfire, airstrikes and explosive devices. All actors have a responsibility to ensure the protection of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law. As of today, the European Union Military Operation in the Southern Central Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED) Operation Sophia is the only actor implementing resolution 2292 (2016), now extended by resolution 2357 (2017). Through its concrete interventions and deterrent effect, it is contributing to the implementation of the arms embargo. In light of the challenges facing Libya, we welcome the renewal of Operation Sophia’s mandate to continue its important work. We wish to thank the United Kingdom for its work on the renewal. By adopting resolution 2357 (2017), the Council has sent a unified message on its continued commitment to peace, security and stability in Libya.

France welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 2357 (2057), which extends for a year the authorization granted by the Security Council to effectively and efficiently implement the arms embargo on weapons headed for Libya by sea. I would like to thank the British penholder for its work and efforts. The arms embargo on Libya is an absolute priority for France. Military offensives on the ground are a stumbling block to the inter-Libyan dialogue. Observance of the embargo by all States is more necessary than ever, as pointed out in the recently issued report of the Panel of Experts on Libya. Requests for exemptions must be made only by the Government of National Accord of Prime Minister Serraj. Through the European Union Military Operation in the Southern Central the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED) — Operation Sophia — the European Union is currently the only actor actively contributing to the implementation of the provisions under this resolution on the high seas off the coast of Libya. Its efforts are all the more important and useful in that they have not just provided a greater understanding of arms flows on the seas, to and from Libya, but also act as a major deterrent to such trafficking. It has also carried out many interdiction and inspections of vessels, leading to the successful seizure of weapons suspected of fuelling terrorist cells in eastern Libya. The extraordinary provisions put in place by the Council makes it possible for Operation Sophia to respond in a timely manner to interdict suspected vessels. France has been part of these European operations by continuously providing means to implement the arms embargo. We will continue to do so. Whatever the results achieved, the threat posed by weapons headed to Libya nevertheless continues. It therefore requires ongoing effort by the international community — not just for the sake of security in that country and the region, but more generally for the sake of combating terrorism at the global level. As the conflict in Libya in recent weeks has been characterized by an unprecedented cycle of violence, it is more crucial than ever to support the efforts of the Presidency Council under Prime Minister Serraj aimed at stabilizing Libya, as well as to cooperate actively in fighting weapons trafficking. We continue to reiterate that there is no military solution in Libya and to call on all parties to exercise restraint. We must encourage the efforts of Mr. Serraj to make the institutions provided for under the Skhirat Agreement more inclusive and effective, as well as to support the development of unified national security architecture under civilian control. Only a lasting political solution will usher in the return of stability in Libya. We in the European Union are determined to continue the work done by EUNAVFOR MED. The renewal of the authorization established under resolution 2292 (2016) is an important element in continuing to provide the necessary legitimacy and resources to act effectively and efficiently. We welcome the inclusion in today’s resolution of an additional reporting modality by way of the Secretary-General’s annual transmission of a report on the implantation of the resolution. The report will enhance the existing notification system under the relevant sanctions committee and will further strengthen the transparency of Operation Sophia vis-à-vis the Security Council, a development we welcome.

China voted to in favour of resolution 2357 (2017), which the Security Council just adopted. China supports the international community in taking effective measures to implement the provisions of the Council’s resolutions on the arms embargo against Libya, especially to cut off the channels and networks that terrorist organizations use to smuggle and acquire weapons. States should implement resolution 2357 (2017) as well as resolution 2292 (2016) in a comprehensive and accurate manner, strictly abide by the relevant principles of international law and respect the sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests of flag States. Measures taken by States should not infringe upon the exclusive jurisdiction of flag States over their ships. Promoting a political solution to the Libyan issue is the only correct choice, and should be the focus of the efforts of all parties. The international community should support the good offices of the United Nations, step up efforts to promote dialogue and peace and push the Libyan parties to resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation, so as to find a solution acceptable to them all, restore national governance and achieve national reconciliation. That is also the fundamental way to resolve the problem of illegal arms trafficking.