S/PV.8263 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. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mr. Ghassan Salamé, Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, to participate in this meeting. Mr. Salamé is joining via video tele-conference from Paris. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2018/429, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. At this meeting, the Security Council will hear briefings by Mr. Salamé and Ambassador Olof Skoog, Permanent Representative of Sweden, in his capacity as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011), concerning Libya. I give the floor to Mr. Salamé. Mr. Salamé: Allow me to congratulate Poland upon its assumption of the presidency of the Security Council this month. I am grateful for this opportunity to brief the Council on our work in Libya. There are various ways to look at Libya, a country of some 1.5 million square kilometres. From one city to another, one finds cause for concern as well as reasons for hope. Although many cities and towns merit mention, I shall cite just a few, beginning with the capital. This month Tripoli was struck by tragedy. On 2 May, a murderous attack on the headquarters of the High Commission for National Elections claimed 13 lives. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and was an attempt to derail the electoral process. However, despite the tragic loss of many staff and the need to move to a new premises after the suicide explosion damaged the building, its Chair has stressed the continued readiness of the High National Elections Commission to conduct elections. The perseverance of the Commission in the face of such adversity deserves our admiration. However, there have also been positive developments in the city. The elections for the presidency of the High State Council were conducted on time, peacefully and democratically, bringing an entirely new leadership to the institution, while reminding all that official positions are only temporary. More important for Libyan citizens, the Government of National Accord has agreed the 2018 budget. To the east, the city of Derna has been subject to escalating ground, air and artillery assault since 7 May, when Mr. Haftar announced an offensive by the Libyan National Army. Numerous civilians have been killed, while aid and medical access have been severely limited. Hundreds of families have been displaced. So far, most of the fighting has taken place on the outskirts of the city. We are concerned that, if it proceeds to the urban areas, civilians will be in even greater danger. I urgently call on all parties to exercise restraint and to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians, and I strongly advise that the Council do likewise. The United Nations is working hard to address the humanitarian situation and is preparing in case the conflict worsens, and requests all actors to permit unfettered humanitarian access and safe passage for civilians out of the area. We have formally offered — and do so once more now — the Mission’s good offices to de-escalate the conflict. To the south, the city of Sabha has also suffered an alarming escalation in armed clashes. Fighting for control of strategic locations has led to rising fatalities, including many civilian casualties. The city’s main hospital has been the subject of direct attacks, putting the infirm at risk. In that regard, as in every instance where civilians are at risk, we stress to all parties their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Besides being the main city in Libya’s southern region, Sabha is a source of specific concern because, first, many agreements to stop the fighting among the groups there have been signed and then subsequently and repeatedly violated; secondly, there is a serious risk that those clashes will deteriorate into an ethnic conflict; and, thirdly, because that conflict has the potential to become regional, given that armed groups originating from many neighbouring countries have too easily transformed that part of Libya as their alternative battle ground. We therefore support rapid negotiations between Libya and its southern neighbours, and we are wholeheartedly prepared to facilitate them if need be. The Sabha case demonstrates the need for Libya to work with southern neighbouring States to secure its borders and resolve the matters of human trafficking, the flows of fighters and the smuggling of goods. On a more positive note, 40 kilometres to the west of Tripoli, on 12 May, the city of Zawiya, the fourth- largest in Libya, conducted the first municipal council election since 2015. In an open and competitive race, the local community, supported by the Municipal Election Committee, worked to ensure a peaceful and organized process, with national observers in every polling centre. That successful election marks the start of a series of municipal polls that will take place across the entire country. Libyans have come to rely upon their mayors and municipalities for essential basic services, who in turn struggle to obtain the necessary resources to meet their needs. Hence the importance of the renewal of local leadership. The United Nations supported that election, both politically and materially, and shall do so for the forthcoming elections. Another city I will mention is Tawergha. That is a city that lost its inhabitants after a very serious conflict with the neighbouring city of Misrata. The inhabitants should have come back on 1 February, according to the plan of the Government of National Accord. They were forcibly prevented from doing so. Many have had to stay without cover, under rain and now under heavy sun. United Nations agencies have done much to make their conditions bearable. I have submitted a plan to implement the 2016 Misrata-Tawergha agreement. We are still pushing for its implementation. Beyond the Tawergha case, I would point to the more than 300,000 internally displaced persons of different political persuasions who long to go back to homes, in Benghazi or other cities. They were compelled to flee because of fighting or hostility from neighbours with whom they have lived for centuries. The last city I shall note is the oasis of Ghadames, where citizens came together to paint the old town square in preparation for their national conference event. Citizens shared their aspirations for their State and the principles that should guide it, their vision for a way out of the current crisis. Forty-two similar events have taken place in twenty- seven locations across the country since the process was launched in April. Opening with simultaneous events in the eastern city of Benghazi and the western city of Zwara, the national conference has spanned the country. Meetings have been held from Tripoli to Shahat, the western Nafusa mountains to the eastern Green mountains, the south-west border town of Ghat to the town of Qatrun in the extreme south — all without a single security incident recorded. Libyans from all political stripes and segments of society gathered to enter the political conversation, many for the first time, with an enthusiasm that could not have been predicted. They have made it their own. After holding its national conference, Benghazi established 30 committees to follow-up. Cities have reached out to demand their own events. Local communities and officials have volunteered to organize their events. Even in the warring city of Sabha, the parties to the conflict called a temporary truce so that the city could hold its National conference. Special events are being held to focus on the concerns of women, youth and internally displaced persons. By the end of the process, events will have been held in over 40 locations for communities in Libya and residing abroad. I commend the thousands of people who chose to join the meetings, as well as the municipalities and institutions that hosted them. I also thank the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, which organized the process. This series of events is the national conference: not a forum for select elites, but for all people. Once the meetings conclude, at the end of June, the findings will be collected and shared at a special event in Libya, as well as with the Council. Some points of consensus from this large inclusive consultative process held in the various cities and towns have begun to crystallize. There is a yearning for a united and sovereign nation and a common belief that, to achieve that, the State must be decentralized. There is an urgent need for a fairer, more transparent and effective distribution of public resources for the benefit of all citizens. There is a strong desire for unified State institutions, working transparently with leaders selected based on their competency, not their identity, as well as for a unified, professional military and a coherent security apparatus, free from political interference and operating under clearly defined rules. The people also want elections that can unite the country. Finally, there is a very clear longing to emerge from transition. That is why the advancement of the political process is so vital. At the core of the public mood is a strong desire for a renewal of the political scene, the assertion of local power and a return to a more normal life with more regular institutions. That has fuelled the people’s call for elections, which has been heard increasingly loudly and clearly, through the voter registration update, within opinion polling and, now, during the national conference meetings. While elections must be held as soon as possible, the proper conditions must be place. A new round of voter registration, prior commitment to accepting the results and appropriate funds and strong security arrangements are needed. No less important, the House of Representatives must deliver on its promise to produce electoral legislation for all forms of electoral events, in consultation with the High State Council. Those laws must be produced in a manner that makes them acceptable to the majority of the population. We are ready to provide immediate advice in line with international practice. The Constitutional Drafting Assembly was democratically chosen in free and fair elections. Its proposal enjoys the legal majority required under the constitutional declaration, and a majority of the Assembly’s votes from each of Libya’s three historical regions. We have assisted the Assembly in its outreach efforts to the Libyan people and the international community. However, with respect to the current draft of the Constitution, Libyan views dramatically diverge. While many are keen to proceed directly to a referendum, others are dissatisfied with the text and call for its amendment, a return to a previous constitution, or specific guarantees, insisting that otherwise they will strongly oppose the very organization of the referendum. The adoption of a constitution is a crucial moment in the life of a nation. It should not be a reason for more division, feuds or tension. The Mission will conclude its consultations with the widest array of Libyans possible in order to set an appropriate timetable for the people to democratically express their will, in either a referendum or national elections. I look forward to conveying the proposal at my next briefing to the Council. At the conception of the action plan, the amendment of the Libyan Political Agreement was requested by various Libyan interlocutors. We have tried over and over to explore different formulas, reconcile various opinions and find means to accommodate ambitions. However, the parties are unwilling to make the necessary concessions. In my previous briefing to the Council (see S/PV.8211), I stated that we would allow a last chance for the amendments to come to pass, and they have not. Instead they have become a distraction. It is now time to turn the page. By focusing on elections this year, amending the Political Agreement rapidly shrinks in importance. However, we must demand far more from the current Presidency Council in its remaining final months, in terms of both concretely preparing for elections and providing services to the people. We never lose sight of human rights. In our two recent human rights reports, the first on detention centres and the second, due to be released tomorrow, on medical services, we have documented countless violations by armed actors against civilians. Furthermore, the continued influence of armed groups upon politics and the economy is perilous and, unless resisted, is in danger of expanding, as recently shown in a disputed decision by the Government of National Accord to give to an armed group powers that can belong only to the sovereign State. To that end, we have developed a new strategy to help Libya deal with the armed groups. We have engaged the armed groups directly, in close consultation with the Government. We are in the final stages of consultation with the Libyan authorities to finalize the strategy and form the plan for its implementation. It will not unravel armed groups tomorrow but will help the long process begin in earnest. Helping Libya tackle armed groups addresses one of the many challenges Libya faces in the security sector. There also needs to be a renewed push to build professional armed and police forces, including redoubling our own work. Those efforts need to proceed in lockstep. With the passage of the budget, Libya’s wealth should flow to the people, and it must do so unimpeded and free of corruption. But with this year almost half gone, Libya must also look to its future. Subsidies remain unaddressed, as does the severe mismatch between the official and black-market exchange rate. Trafficked people and illicitly traded goods continue to flow through its borders. Those apects provide opportunities for those few who sit at the heart of Libya’s political stalemate, plundering the nation’s coffers and resisting any actions that might challenge their sway over a predatory economy. It is this perverse economic model that must be shattered if the political process is to make meaningful progress. We are working to tackle these challenges and, accordingly, in April, a special event was held at the margins of the spring meetings of the Bretton Woods Institutions in Washington, D.C. The efforts of Member States are vital, both in supporting the Libyan authorities to manage their fiscal and monetary policy and in pursuing perpetrators of criminal financial behaviour. But there are limits to what can be done unless there are unified institutions that have the strength to challenge vested interests and the credibility to introduce meaningful reforms. The social and political fluidity observed during the previous briefing has continued to grow. It is a great pleasure to see Libyans from opposing factions meet and have discussions themselves, such as those between former regime groups in Benghazi or among representatives from Misrata, Tarhouna and Zintan. However, those meetings must be in pursuit of peace. We have also seen the welcome interest of Member States in support of Libyans meeting with each other. In Cairo, when officers from all parts of the country came together to try to unify their institutions; in Rabat, when the Speakers of the two Houses met for the first time; or in Dakar, where various groups of Libyans gathered to discuss their place in the political process — such meetings have the capacity to be useful, but only when they are congruent with the action plan for Libya. The solidarity of regional organizations was high, as expressed in the last Libya quartet meeting held Cairo, as was the solidarity shown during the regular tripartite meeting of neighbouring States, including Algeria, Egypt and Tunisia. I must thank the African Union, the League of Arab States and the European Union for inviting me to their respective forums to brief their member States. I also want to express my appreciation to the African Union and the European Union in the light of our joint task-force efforts aimed at supporting the voluntary return of migrants to their homes and improving, while still insufficiently, the conditions of the detention centres they are being held in. Along with Member States, we must continue our work with the Libyan authorities to improve the lives of migrants living in centres or in communities. The aspirations of millions cannot be halted by those few who wish to maintain the status quo for their own personal benefit. Parallel bodies that continue to exist beyond their mandate must be dissolved. Elections must be held. The country must move forward. But that can be achieved only with the support of the Security Council. When Libya hears conflicting messages, we only add to division and give opportunity to those seeking to derail the process. But when the Council speaks with a clear and single voice, Libyans, believe me, listen.

I thank Mr. Salamé for his briefing. I now give the floor to Ambassador Skoog.

In accordance with paragraph 24 (e) of resolution 1970 (2011), of 26 February 2011, I have the honour to report to the Security Council on the work of the Committee established by the same resolution. The report covers the period from 22 March to 21 May, during which time the Committee met once in informal consultations and conducted additional work via the written silence procedure. During the informal consultations held on 3 April, the Committee discussed a letter dated 7 March from the Coordinator of the Panel of Experts on Libya, addressed to me, expressing the Panel’s extreme concern, which was shared by Committee members, regarding the leak to the media of the Panel’s unpublished interim report of 16 January. The Committee heard briefings by the Secretariat and the Coordinator of the Panel. The Committee also discussed, under “Other matters”, the issue of the Libyan assets frozen pursuant to Security Council resolutions following reports of alleged devaluation and losses. With respect to the arms embargo, the Committee sent a letter to Libya seeking any update to the written briefings that were provided in May 2017, pursuant to paragraph 6 of resolution 2278 (2016), concerning the Libyan coast guard, explosive-ordnance disposal units and the presidential guard. As of 1 May, the Committee is considering proposals for the designation of six individuals under the assets-freeze and travel- ban measures in the context of migrant exploitation and abuse. During the reporting period, the Committee also received a request for de-listing from the travel ban, through the focal point for de-listing established pursuant to resolution 1730 (2006), from a listed individual, Aisha Al-Qadhafi, whose name is currently inscribed on the Committee’s sanctions list as subject to the assets-freeze and travel-ban measures. In accordance with the provisional guidelines of the Committee, given that Ms. Al-Qadhafi was listed by a resolution of the Security Council, the Committee assumes the role of designating State and will take further steps after having received any possible comments from the States of citizenship and residence. Finally, the Committee received updates from the Panel of Experts in relation to the vessels Nadine and Lynn S, which had previously been subject to some of the measures in connection with its attempts to illicitly export petroleum, including crude oil and refined petroleum products, from Libya. The listing of the two vessels expired on 18 and 29 April, respectively.

I thank Ambassador Skoog for his briefing. I shall now give the floor to those Council members who wish to make statements.

I thank Ambassador Skoog for his briefing. Let me also very much welcome the briefing of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Ghassan Salamé, and the report of the Secretary-General (S/2018/429). We fully support his work and efforts as Special Representative to deliver the United Nations road map. The United Kingdom welcomes the progress towards national reconciliation through the national conference process. It is important to do all that we can to support all Libyans to have a stake in the political process. As we have said for some months now, the status quo is not sustainable. We therefore welcome the efforts to prepare for elections. It is extremely positive that 2.4 million Libyans have now registered to vote, reflecting the popular demand for an end to the transition period and an eagerness to engage in the democratic political process. Libyans want to break the political impasse and to move their country forward. However, the Libyan people are suffering because of the divisions and disagreements among their leaders. As the United Nations has set out, there are three elements that need to form part of the political sequence: the Constitution, parliamentary elections and presidential elections. It is important to manage that sequencing so that credible elections are delivered and stability is promoted. Before elections can take place, Libya’s leaders must therefore agree to an inclusive political package on the technical, security and political measures needed to ensure that the elections are inclusive and peaceful and that the results are accepted. As the international community and the Security Council, we need to deliver a single unified message. All national efforts must be in support of and coordinated with the United Nations. Turning to the economy, we welcome the 2018 budget, agreed on 9 May, which will allow the Government to support vital public services. Libya’s leaders now need to work together to address the suffering of the Libyan people while the preparations for the elections continue. They urgently need to agree economic reforms, to unify Libya’s economic institutions and to resolve the dispute over the governorship of the Central Bank of Libya. Finally, turning to security, the lower casualty rates since the start of 2018 are most welcome. However, the tragedy continues to strike, including the attack of 2 May on the High Commission for National Elections claimed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant. It is a stark reminder that such groups are still working to undermine the democratic process. We in the international community must make a concerted effort to help to bolster electoral security arrangements so that the Libyan people can exercise their democratic right without the threat of violence. We recognize that the fighting, particularly in Sabha and Derna, demonstrates deep divisions in Libya. That fighting increases the suffering of the Libyan people and is being exploited by extremists. In talking of exploitation, we still recall the shocking reports of what appeared to be slave auctions run by migrant traffickers. We must take action to signal that traffickers cannot act with impunity. The United Kingdom fully supports such efforts, including through the Security Council sanctions regime. The year 2018 is crucial for Libya. It presents a great opportunity to finally deliver what the people of Libya have long demanded — a peaceful, secure and prosperous country and an opportunity to have a say in how that is achieved through credible elections. The international community must work together with the United Nations to support Libya’s leaders to deliver. To fail now is to invite more suffering, more wasted opportunities and greater threat to the peace and security of us all.

I would like to thank Special Representative Salamé and the Ambassador of Sweden for their briefings. The United States stands fully behind the efforts to help to bring peace to Libya. The Libyan people have waited more than seven years for a better future. After rising up against one of the world’s most brutal tyrants, the promise of Libya’s revolution remains unfulfilled. The stakes for international peace and security are high. Libya’s insecurity does not affect only Libyans. Groups such as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant have taken advantage of the conflict to put down roots. Loose arms from Libya are fuelling violence from the Sahel to the Sinai. Brutal militias conspire with criminal gangs to smuggle migrants to Europe. The lawlessness in Libya is an issue that concerns us all. Last year, a horrific video emerged that captured the world’s attention. It showed migrants being sold into slavery in Libya. It was sick and inhumane. There is no place in our world for slavery. We must never tolerate the conditions that could allow such a barbaric practice to occur. Sadly, human rights abuses against migrants occur all too frequently in Libya. One desperate survivor of a Libyan detention facility told Doctors Without Borders recently: “I have endured two months, three weeks, one day and 12 hours of hell.” We can only imagine how many thousands of migrants are enduring their own hell in detention facilities right now. The crisis calls for the immediate action of the Security Council. The groups that are responsible for those abuses are the same ones that are destabilizing Libya. Those who torture migrants and refugees profit from smuggling. They use such profits to undermine the authority of Government institutions. Those ruthless smugglers threaten Libya’s peace and security. This time, the Security Council is in a position to respond and to live up to its responsibilities. The Council is considering sanctions against six individuals involved in migrant smuggling and human trafficking in Libya. Those designations would be an important step towards holding the perpetrators of abuses accountable. We regret that the Security Council has not yet reached consensus on such designations. Failing to move forward with the designations would be a travesty in the face of so much global outrage over such abuses. There is strong regional support for the designations, and the evidence showing the involvement of the six people is clear. The United States therefore hopes that the Security Council can move forward with the sanctions designations as soon as possible in order to deter further abuses. In the meantime, we continue to encourage the Government of National Accord to work closely with international agencies so as to assist vulnerable migrants and refugees. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have done good work. They are helping to repatriate migrants in a safe and voluntary manner from detention facilities and to assist those with claims to protection. The IOM and UNHCR must be able to continue those important efforts. In the long run, of course, addressing Libya’s instability requires a political solution. That is where Special Representative Salamé’s work is involved. The United States is a firm supporter of the United Nations dialogue. That should be the only mediation process. Separate international initiatives will distract from the efforts of the United Nations and will undermine prospects for national reconciliation. While the United Nations works on talks, all parties must exercise restraint. There should be no unilateral action outside the United Nations process. Political spoilers must stop undermining the dialogue and engage with the United Nations in good faith. As Special Representative Salamé has said, the Libyan people are eager for elections to bring an end to interim Governments and political transitions. We therefore appreciate the progress that the United Nations has made to prepare for elections. These elections must be well prepared so that we do not end up with any further instability. There is a strong international consensus that for the elections to happen, there needs to be a constitutional basis. The United States stands behind this consensus. Libyan leaders need to commit to both the election process and to respecting the will of the Libyan people. Special Representative Salamé must have the space to consult with Libya’s leaders on how to move forward with the democratic and inclusive constitutional process. We look forward to hearing more from him on the next steps. Since 2012, the United States has given more than $32 million to support election preparations and the drafting of a new constitution in Libya. We urge other donors to step up to meet the needs of Libya’s High Commission for National Elections, so that the Government can finish its preparations. On 2 May, terrorists attacked the headquarters of the National Election Commission in Tripoli. We condemn this cowardly attack, which only deepens our commitment to supporting free and fair elections. We recognize the immense courage of the election officials, who continue to report to work despite these threats. They are working to help build a democratic Libya, and they deserve our full backing. It is people like these whom we need to remember in the Security Council. We need support the Libyans who are pushing for peace rather than those who are fighting for their own selfish interests. Those Libyans who are holding out from the United Nations process need to understand that they must come to the table. Despite all the insecurity, there is hope. One 24-year-old student named Salim, who participated in the 2011 revolution, recently attended a workshop on reconciliation. Reflecting on his experiences, Salim said: “I refuse to take part in an act of vengeance. That is not what 2011 was all about. And if we can be reminded that our aspiration was freedom and a better life, we might start thinking differently”. Salim is right. It is long past time for Libya’s leaders to put aside their narrow agendas and instead think about the aspirations of the Libyan people. It is long past time for Libyans to come together around the cause of a stable, unified and democratic Government. The United States will not hesitate to use all of the tools we have to help Libyans achieve this goal.

I thank the Special Representative, Mr. Ghassan Salamé, for his briefing and once again pay tribute to his tireless efforts to move forward the political transition in Libya. I would like here, on behalf of France, to reiterate to him once again our full and unwavering support. My thanks go also to the representative of Sweden for his briefing on the work of the sanctions Committee. The first point I wish to make pertains to political stability and reconciliation in Libya. As the Special Representative told us this morning, he is continuing his consultations throughout the country as part of the national conference process, which is aimed at encouraging reconciliation and fulfilling the conditions necessary for elections to take place. We have kept a very close eye on the popular consultations that have taken place in more than 20 Libyan cities as well as the different channels of political and military dialogue that the Special Representative is working to harmonize. We welcome this complex and demanding undertaking, which is being carried out throughout the country and makes it possible to consult the Libyan people as to aspirations concerning the future of the country. These efforts are vital for reducing tensions and achieving an inclusive political solution on the basis of the Skhirat Agreement. Consensus has emerged in Libya on the need to revive the process of democratic transition through elections. Elections are the best way of creating positive momentum in Libya. The popular enthusiasm reflected in the registration of almost 2.5 million voters is a positive sign. The holding of general, free, credible, transparent and democratic elections in 2018 will require the creation of an adequate political and security environment and a commitment by all segments of society to respecting the outcome. The holding of early municipal elections in Zawiya on 12 May with a good turnout rate of 62 per cent is very encouraging. The status quo is unacceptable. It is now the responsibility of all Libyan political stakeholders to respect popular opinion, which is in favour of elections being held. The second point I wish to make concerns developments in the security situation as well as the terrorist situation, which remains a genuine threat to Libya. As we are all aware, the security obstacles in Libya are myriad and the situation on the ground remains volatile, as demonstrated by the attack carried out on 2 May against the High Commission for National Elections in Tripoli, which we unequivocally condemned. The situation remains tense in Sabha, with clashes between the Tebu and Awlad Sulayman communities. In Derna, it is of vital importance that the civilian population be protected. France condemns all terrorist acts perpetrated in Libya, which are intended to destabilize the country. We call on the Libyan people to join together to fight that scourge. We must foster dialogue among the armed forces in order to unify them under a single civilian authority. Here I pay tribute to the Cairo efforts made to that end, in support of the mediation efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. Only an inclusive political solution will allow us to vanquish terrorism and ensure lasting security. Such a solution must include national reconciliation, institutional unity and the strengthening of the State, which must be capable of exerting control over the entirety of its territory. My third point concerns the predatory economy, a cancer afflicting that country that is eating it from the inside. The many actors profiting from the situation are promoting instability, and the various forms of trafficking that abound in Libya fuel this predatory economy, which entrenches the status quo and weakens the State. We must collectively reflect on ways to break this vicious circle once and for all. For the time being, our efforts are focused on the European Union military operation in the Southern Central Mediterranean, Operation Sophia, which is aimed at combating trafficking in migrants and violations of the arms embargo. We are also taking action at the level of the Security Council to combat the illicit export of crude and refined oil, as well as arms trafficking. It is vital also that the Libyan economic and financial institutions, in particular the Central Bank and the National Oil Corporation, be safeguarded, and the issue of the Central Bank’s governance clarified. We will remain active within the Security Council to consider all of the tools available to us to curb these illegal activities and the resulting misappropriation of the country’s wealth. This brings me to my final point: the plight of migrants who are transiting Libya. France’s position is clear: we believe that those responsible for trafficking in human beings and the smuggling of migrants must be subject to sanctions within the existing United Nations sanctions regime. In that respect, France has worked together with its European and American partners, with the support of the Libyan Government, on the adoption by the Security Council of sanctions targeting migrant smugglers. We hope to soon be able to reach a consensus and to ensure that a list in that respect is adopted by the sanctions Committee. We must join forces in the face of acts that are not only repugnant but also deeply destabilizing for the country and the region. I therefore appeal to all members of the Security Council to shoulder their responsibility on this key issue, which is a priority for France. I should like also to commend the headway made by the United Nations, European Union and African Union task force, which meets regularly and is making tangible progress on the implementation of the Abidjan road map. We are continuing our dialogue with the Libyan authorities to facilitate assisted voluntary returns, overseen by the International Organization for Migration, and to enhance cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Allow me to begin my statement by expressing my delegation’s gratitude to Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ghassan Salamé for the information provided on the report on the activities of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) (S/2018/429) and the report on the implementation of resolution 2357 (2017) (S/2018/451). We also thank Ambassador Olof Skoog, in his capacity as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011), concerning Libya, for keeping us informed of the Committee’s activities. We extend our gratitude to the African Union for its efforts to mediate and seek solutions, as well as to the European Union military operation in the Southern Central Mediterranean — Operation Sophia — for its extensive work in controlling the smuggling of arms and related materials on the high seas to and from Libya, thereby preventing possible violations of the arms embargo and their proliferation. Measures such as these and those set out in resolutions 2362 (2017) and 2380 (2017), related to the prevention of illegal oil exports from Libya and the fight against smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons, respectively, will have our full support provided that they comply with all the guarantees of international law. We believe that they must be extended until the conflict is brought to an end and the Libyan Government can take full control of the situation. In addition, we urge the Libyan Government to continue to work with the United Nations to put an end to these aberrations and to redouble its efforts to ensure that those responsible for systematic violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, on both sides, are held accountable and brought to justice. Despite these small steps forward, the Security Council and the international community must urgently focus on the negative impact of this political and military conflict on the economic and humanitarian situation in the country. The ongoing clashes between armed groups and militias and the presence of terrorist groups from other countries affect more than 1 million people, resulting in large internal displacements and a great need for humanitarian assistance in much of the country. This situation requires an immediate, or at least relatively expeditious, solution, as we have said on other occasions, to bring some hope to war victims. My delegation considers it essential to eliminate the presence of armed groups, militias and terrorist organizations, which currently operate with considerable impunity, as they are a major factor in the political instability in Libyan territory, beyond the clashes between the various communities. The regional consequences of the situation in Libya are inescapable, with many countries in Africa affected by the situation. Libya’s security problems and instability can gradually affect the countries of the region, becoming genuine threats to international peace and security. In connection with the electoral process, my Government fully subscribes to the African Union Commission’s 4 May communiqué strongly condemning the 2 May terrorist attack in Tripoli on the High Commission for National Elections, which claimed the lives of 14 people and left several injured, including Commission staff and police officers. The attack, which is an outrage against the Libyan people and the Government, must not undermine efforts to prepare the country for national reconciliation and the organization of national elections. We also appeal to Libyan political actors and reiterate the need to create an environment conducive to the holding of the elections, which would constitute a significant step towards the resolution of the political crisis. We also reiterate that the solution to the political and military conflict in Libya depends on Libyans themselves making use of their independence and sovereignty. In that regard, we welcome the peace agreement signed on 11 May in Dakar among more than 20 Libyan political leaders, including the most influential and representative figures of all political and social movements in the country. We hope that these three days of intra-Libyan reflection will lead to reconciliation, peace and sustainable development. We once again insist on the search for a peaceful solution and more effective measures to protect the most vulnerable civilians, particularly migrants, who continue to suffer human rights violations, including illegal deprivation of liberty, arbitrary detention and forced labour. To tolerate that kind of activity means regressing and reliving the pain and outrage that many would like to forget. In conclusion, we applaud the work of UNSMIL for its efforts in establishing a constitutional framework, thereby ending the political transition period in Libya through dialogue and reconciliation among the parties to the internal conflict, which, in our view, is the only way to put an end to this prolonged and painful conflict that is a source for great concern.

We are grateful for the holding of this meeting and would like to thank Special Representative of the Secretary- General Ghassan Salamé and Swedish Ambassador Olof Skoog, in his capacity as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011), concerning Libya, for their important briefings. Peru supports the efforts of Special Representative Salamé to promote an inclusive process in Libya that will gradually lead to a constitutional referendum followed by free, fair and secure parliamentary and presidential elections, with broad participation of all political forces and citizens. We believe that the new constitution, to the extent that it reflects national consensus, should serve to establish the institutional and governance frameworks required to build sustainable peace in Libya. It will also be necessary to adopt adequate electoral legislation to supplement the new voter registration. The international community, especially the Council, must stand united in its support for the good offices deployed by the United Nations Mission to ensure that the High State Council and the House of Representatives agree on the executive authority required to conduct the electoral processes and to face serious challenges and threats. In that regard, we welcome the progress made in the implementation of the United Nations action plan, in particular the launch of the national conference to build trust and reconciliation between political actors and civil society, and we encourage greater participation by women and young people. We also consider it important to move towards the reintegration of armed actors into civilian life and to strengthen the institutions responsible for security, all the more so when we note with concern that episodes of violence continue to occur. We must condemn the continuation of terrorist attacks, such as the one against the High Commission for National Elections facilities in Tripoli, and we stress the urgent need to address the trafficking in small arms and light weapons. We are concerned about the impunity with which human rights continue to be violated in Libya, including arbitrary detention, as well as the vulnerability of migrants and refugees. We hope that the joint task force of the United Nations, the African Union and the European Union can put an end to the trafficking networks. It is also important to consider imposing sanctions on those responsible for those reprehensible acts. At the same time, we view an urgent need for fiscal capacity-building to approve a public budget and fight against corruption. That is essential to face the challenging humanitarian situation that continues in various parts of the country to enable the country to move towards sustainable peace while promoting its development. I would like to conclude, Madam President, by highlighting the important work carried out by the United Nations Mission in Libya, in a context of heightened polarization, insecurity and sacrifice, and by expressing Peru’s support for the tireless efforts of the Envoy Special.

I would like to begin by thanking Special Representative Salamé for his briefing to the Security Council. As the Secretary-General’s report (S/2018/429) reminds us, the situation in Libya remains very difficult, and we commend his tireless efforts to implement the United Nations action plan and to work towards a peaceful and stable Libya. I would like to highlight three areas today. First, the security situation in Libya remains fragile. The terrorist attack on the High Commission for National Elections Commiss, which we condemn, was a stark reminder of that fact. Nonetheless, we note the gradual improvement of security situation in Tripoli. Every effort should be made to consolidate and build upon such improvements. It is imperative that all parties refrain from destabilizing threats or actions that risk reversing that trend. We share the concern expressed by the Special Representative and echoed by other speakers about the escalation of violence in Derna. While we note that commitments to spare civilians have been made, the potential for further significant civilian casualties cannot be ignored. We echo the call on all parties to respect human rights and international humanitarian law. That includes protecting civilians and allowing their free and safe passage. We are also concerned about the escalation of violence in the south, not least in Sabha, where we encourage continued regional cooperation to defuse the conflict as outlined by the Special Representative this morning. We welcome the focus in the Secretary-General’s report on human rights and the rule of law. We welcome in particular the visits to Libya’s prisons and detention facilities and the documentation of widespread abuses such as torture, sexual and gender-based violence and arbitrary detention — in the east as well as the west. It is clear that thousands of individuals now languish in detention, many without knowing the charge against them or what their future holds. That is entirely unacceptable. Accountability is needed for crimes committed against those in detention. We call on all parties to ensure access for the United Nations, and other humanitarian organizations, to detention centres under their control, including to the Mitiga detention facility. We applaud the cooperation between the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on those issues. We encourage continued collaboration and support, not least for the International Criminal Court’s important work in Libya. Secondly, we reiterate our firm support for the United Nations-facilitated political process in Libya. We urge all Libyan leaders to engage constructively and to create the legal, political and security conditions necessary to hold free and fair elections to end Libya’s protracted transition. We are impressed by the ambitious bottom-up approach being taken in the ongoing national conference consultations across the country, including the valuable online activity to engage more Libyans in the political process. Such initiatives help build trust in the political process and contribute to increasing the legitimacy of the elections. Moving forward, every effort must be made to promote women’s equal representation and participation in the political and election process. That includes ensuring that women from all parts of the country will have access to information on election procedures and an opportunity to run for election. Concrete efforts to prevent stigma and address all types of security threats facing female candidates are essential. As co-Chair of the Council’s Informal Working Group on Women and Peace and Security, we are pleased that Libya has been added as a country of focus for 2018. We aim to continue to provide the Council with up-to-date information and analysis on the women and peace and security agenda in Libya, which we hope can better inform our deliberations. Finally, I should like to turn to the situation of refugees and migrants, as many others have done this morning. We remain deeply concerned about the situation of the more than 5,000 refugees and the estimated 700,000 migrants currently in Libya. Refugees and migrants are often vulnerable and risk being exploited or arbitrarily detained. We would like to highlight the work of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration to assist refugees and migrants under difficult circumstances, and underline the importance of full access for humanitarian actors. Serious efforts are needed to safeguard against human rights abuses and violations, create accountability and promote changes in behaviour in order to end impunity. We believe that the Council must come together and send a strong signal in that regard. That includes the use of sanctions to target those responsible for smuggling and trafficking in persons. The political, security and humanitarian situation in Libya is one of the most complex on the Council’s agenda. We have given UNSMIL, under the leadership of Special Representative Salamé, a huge task to support the Libyan people to move their country forward. We must continue to stand united and give them our full support.

My delegation thanks the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Libya, Mr. Salamé, for his informative briefing. I reiterate Côte d’Ivoire’s support to efforts towards peace and stability in Libya. I also commend Ambassador Olof Skoog for the quality of his briefing. My country would like to take the opportunity of this meeting on Libya to strongly condemn the attack perpetrated at the headquarters of the Libyan High Commission for National Elections on 2 May. That attack, claimed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, underscored the fragility of the security situation and called on us to engage in joint efforts to response appropriately to terrorism and the issue of armed groups, which pose a real threat to the Libyan peace process. While the security situation remains cause for concern, we must not lose sight of the progress made in the ongoing political process. In that regard, my delegation would like to welcome the meetings between members of the House of Representatives and the High State Council with a view to reaching compromises on important provisions of the Libyan Political Agreement that are subject to controversy. The Agreement, endorsed by the United Nations, remains the only valid reference framework to lead Libya towards a credible and inclusive democratic transition. We welcome the fact that the Libyan Supreme Court has been able to remove judicial obstacles to pave the way for the forthcoming referendum on the new constitution, which will be the cornerstone of the rule of law to which all Libyans aspire. We also commend Libyans’ support for the ongoing political process and their clear desire definitively to bring to an end the situation of instability and insecurity in their country. That desire is reflected in the high rate of voter registration among Libyans; the reconciliation between the armed groups in the cities of Misrata and Zintan; and the measures taken by mayors and local elected representatives to hold timely municipal elections. Libyans’ desire for peace also led to the high participation in 42 meetings in 27 localities of the country, the first phase of an inclusive political process leading to a national donference. The significant progress we are seeing on the ground augurs well for a successful outcome of the efforts of Mr. Salamé to restore peace and stability in Libya. My delegation would like to reiterate its congratulations on the progress he has made in what is a particularly difficult situation. I also take this opportunity to recall that resolving the Libyan crisis is of great importance for all of Africa, including for its effects on the Sahelo-Saharan region, which led to the 17 April meeting of the High Committee of the African Union on Libya in Addis Ababa. My country takes note of the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court with a view to ending a long period of impunity in Libya. Côte d’Ivoire commends the efforts made by the Libyan Government to put an end to the trafficking of migrants in that country. In that regard, we welcome the decision by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to consider the possibility of extending the ICC’s jurisdiction to cover crimes committed against migrants. We continue to support the inclusion of persons or entities engaged in the trafficking or smuggling of migrants on the list of sanctions of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011), concerning Libya. My delegation is also extremely concerned about the siege of the city of Derna by the Libyan National Army. We call on the warring parties to move to a ceasefire and to pursue dialogue to overcome their differences. On the humanitarian front, my country urgently calls for the effective implementation of the 2018 Libyan humanitarian response plan to meet the urgent needs for this year of 940,000 Libyans throughout the country. In conclusion, Côte d’Ivoire reiterates its support for the action plan of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. We urge the international community to lend him its full support in order to advance the national reconciliation process and lay the foundations for lasting peace and stability in Libya through an inclusive democratic process. My delegation would also like to commend the work being carried out by the staff of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, who have just begun their deployment in Tripoli.

We thank Special Representative Salamé and Ambassador Skoog for their comprehensive updates on the situation in Libya and on the activities of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011), concerning Libya. Almost eight years have passed since the beginning of the conflict in Libya, and the situation in the country is still far from being stable. Libya still faces many challenges, including on the political track. A volatile security environment and terrorist activities, as well as mass movements of refugees and migrants, continue to be a matter of great concern. Despite some positive steps undertaken by the Libyans, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the international community, violence and confrontations among rival armed groups are increasing. Those actions not only threaten the lives of hundreds of civilians, but also undermine the progress achieved so far in the implementation of the Libyan Political Agreement. Kazakhstan believes that the Libyan Political Agreement remains the only viable framework for putting an end to the protracted crisis during the transitional period. However, we need to move towards permanent stability in Libya. In that regard, we call on all Libyan parties and stakeholders to maintain a strong commitment to the common goal of seeking a political settlement to the crisis and a comprehensive implementation of the Libyan Political Agreement. It is vital that the authorities of Tripoli and Tobruk should continue their engagements in order to resolve differences on the basis of an inclusive dialogue through political means. It remains essential to maintain the unity of the Security Council and support the work of UNSMIL and Special Representative of the Secretary-General Salamé. My delegation welcomes the efforts of Mr. Salamé to engage constructively and supports an active, inclusive dialogue among all Libyan stakeholders. We encourage him to continue such efforts in order to broaden their support and commitments to the political process. Drafting a constitution, holding credible elections, implementing economic reforms and putting an end to the lawlessness in the country are the main avenues for progress in Libya, which we must all work on. The international community must create favourable conditions to advance the political dialogue. With that, the primacy of the United Nations as the main mediator should be maintained. We fully support the observation of the Secretary-General in his most recent report (S/2018/429) that international and regional engagement continue to play a vital role in support of the United Nations efforts to address the crisis in Libya. Lastly, concerning the sanctions regime, it is vital that Libya’s oil resources be used for the benefit of all Libyans. Strict compliance with the embargo on the supply of arms to Libya must be enforced.

We would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Mr. Ghassan Salamé, for his briefing, and we take this opportunity to convey to him again our unstinting support for the outstanding work he continues to carry out. Similarly, we appreciate the briefing by Ambassador Olof Skoog on the activities carried out in his capacity as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011), concerning Libya. Taking note of the reports of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolutions 2376 (2017) and 2357 (2017), there is a clear and pressing need to reaffirm the importance of the full implementation of the Libyan Political Agreement to bring the transition period to a definitive end. That task should also be reinforced through compliance with the provisions of the action plan promoted by the Special Representative, which methodically and clearly lays out a road map to that end. With regard to the progress achieved, we would like to highlight the fact that, in February, the Libyan Supreme Court finally resolved the cases against the Constitution Drafting assembly brought before administrative courts, thereby removing the legal obstacles that prevented the national referendum on the new constitution from taking place. We look forward to the tasks being undertaken by the House of Representatives to develop the necessary legislation and regulatory structure to clearly establish the elements and requirements for conducting both the referendum and the subsequent electoral processes. That normative development is also essential for the establishment of reliable and capable institutions, which are the bedrock of the State. In the same vein, we highlight the progress made in voter registration by the High Commission for National Elections. At the time the report was issued, nearly 2.5 million people had been registered, almost half of whom were women. That demonstrates once again the importance of the role of women in the future of Libya. It is therefore essential to guarantee the full participation of women in electoral processes, as well as that of young people and all segments of society. We also highlight the efforts and initiatives for tribal and community reconciliation and rapprochement carried out by different actors in the localities of Kufra, Misrata and Zintan. We are convinced that the strengthening of that dialogue and the constant exchange of perspectives on the freedom of movement, equal access to services, and accountability and justice will establish a common understanding that will contribute to preventing future conflicts and tensions. We also appreciate and highlight the ongoing efforts that have continued to be made by various regional organizations and actors, such as the African Union and the League of Arab States, and countries such as Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia and Chad, among other countries, to strengthen, support and advance the Libyan political process and plan of action. Despite those positive developments, the worrying increase in violence and fighting among the parties continues to wreak havoc. The steady stream of reports of abductions, torture, arbitrary detentions and summary executions, in particular in the cities of Sabha, Derna, Tripoli and Benghazi, are alarming, especially when it is clear that, according to the report of the Secretary-General, at least 16 people lost their lives and approximately 30 people were injured in the crossfire during sporadic clashes and as a result of the use of explosives in public and civilian spaces in blatant violation of international humanitarian law. In that context, my delegation reiterates once again its appeal to the parties and local actors to lay down their arms and refrain from any rhetoric that seeks to justify violence as a means of achieving any objective, as those attitudes are an attack on the lives of innocent people and undermine the progress achieved so far in implementing the Libyan Political Agreement. The continued presence on Libyan territory of irregular combatants and foreign armed groups who are engaged in armed clashes in the south of the country is also a serious threat to the political process and to the stability of that part of the country. That threat is further exacerbated by the presence and ability of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham to traffic weapons, despite the embargo in force, and to coordinate and perpetrate deadly attacks, such as the one against the Libyan High Commission on National Elections, in Tripoli on 2 May, in which more than 15 people died. We condemn that attack in the strongest possible terms. The presence of foreign armed groups and the existence of sleeper cells of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant pose an imminent risk that endangers not only the security of Libya, but also the entire region. We are concerned about the reports of widespread human rights violations in detention centres. It should be noted that despite the commitment of the Presidency Council and the Libyan National Army to initiating and conducting investigations into such abuses, so far not one person has been brought to justice for these violations. The death of a detainee in Ain Zara prison, presumably from torture, makes the situation even more alarming and urgent. The repeated reports of violations of the rights of migrants, who are being indefinitely held in detention centres under inadequate conditions and subjected to degrading treatment, torture, forced labour, sexual violence and denial of medical help, highlight the importance of addressing this situation in a cross-cutting manner. We call on the parties to prevent abuses and violations of these people’s rights and urge them to comply with their obligations under international law. In that regard, we reiterate our call to the Libyan authorities to initiate appropriate investigations for identifying those responsible for these violations so that their acts do not go unpunished, as well as to support and cooperate with the investigations by the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court identifying those responsible for these acts, which will come under the Court’s jurisdiction should they constitute crimes against humanity. We reiterate that there can be no military solution to this conflict, and we therefore call on all parties to join the ongoing efforts to maintain a dialogue that can lead to a peaceful, orderly and inclusive political transition that responds to the interests of the Libyan people and will enable them to freely and consensually define their future within the framework of their country’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. To that end, compliance with the Libyan Political Agreement, recognized by resolution 2259 (2015) and reaffirmed through the presidential statement of 14 December 2017 (S/PRST/2017/26), is imperative. Finally, it is important to bear in mind that the impact that the Libyan conflict has had on the security situation in the region is a direct consequence of interventionist practices and policies of regime change that have had a collateral effect in the Sahel, bringing about the emergence of chaos, terrorism and militarization, with regrettable results that continue to be have repercussions to this day.

I thank you, Madam President, for holding today’s meeting. We appreciate the untiring efforts of Mr. Ghassan Salamé, Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), to achieve peace and stability in Libya, and we very much appreciate UNSMIL’s vital and important role. We also thank Ambassador Olof Skoog for the valuable information he has provided on the activities of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya. I will focus on three key elements: political developments, security challenges and economic reform. First, with regard to political developments, we reiterate our full support for the action plan, which has helped to fulfil many aspirations related to moving Libya from a situation of chaos to stability and prosperity, including the launch of the preparatory process for a general national congress, to be held by the end of 2018, the promotion of national unity through a dialogue facilitated by national reconciliation initiatives, and the important agreement between the House of Representatives and the High Council of State on a mechanism to form a new executive authority. We believe in this important plan and its provisions for establishing security in Libya. We therefore renew our commitment to the United Nations efforts aimed at ending the protracted transitional period in the country, the most important of which, at the current time, is providing adequate support for the preparation of elections and ensuring that they are accepted by all. We hope that the voter registration update, which added more than 2.4 million voters to the rolls, will help to ensure the participation of the largest possible number of Libyans in the voting process. We welcome the positive experience observed in the municipal elections in Zawiya, which went smoothly and transparently and showed great integrity. We commend all those who participated in exercising their constitutional right to elect their representatives in the municipal council, in a rate of participation that exceeded 60 per cent. We hope that the Libyan people will follow suit with great voter participation in the other Libyan cities that elect municipal councils this year. We agree with the Secretary-General on the need for positive indicators such as these in order to ensure that the House of Representatives shoulders its responsibilities without further delay. It must establish a constitutional framework with a view to holding elections following the adoption of the necessary constitutional legislation. We reiterate the message in the resolution adopted by the League of Arab States, one of the actors in the Quartet, calling for a comprehensive political solution to the crisis and for adherence to the Libyan Political Agreement as the sole political framework for addressing it. Secondly, with respect to the security challenges, it is perhaps paradoxical that the most prominent security incident during the reporting period was a terrorist attack earlier this month targeting the headquarters of the High Commission for National Elections in Tripoli. We strongly condemn that cowardly act and express our condolences to the families of the victims. This incident, and other events that have led to a continued escalation of tensions and violence, remind us of the ongoing state of insecurity in Libya, which remains the most notable feature of its security situation, especially in the light of the escalation of confrontations in the cities of Derna and Sabha and elsewhere. This adds to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in general and the ongoing violations of human rights and human trafficking in particular. We reiterate our rejection of these practices, which are contrary to international law, and we call for an end to such acts, which contribute to the killing and displacement of civilians. In the Security Council, we must continue to support Libyan efforts to establish the rule of law, extend the authority of the State and move towards the unification of the Libyan military and security forces under a civilian leadership. We welcome the meetings hosted by Egypt to discuss that unification. Thirdly, with regard to economic reform, we welcome the continuing production of more than a million barrels of oil a day, which has increased optimism about Libyan economic expectations. We also welcome the adoption of a general budget for 2018. However, we remain concerned about the notable increase in public spending, which will lead to a financial deficit estimated at $7.5 billion. We would like to recall here the resolution of the League of Arab States, which calls on the Presidency Council, the House of Representatives, the High Council of State, the Central Bank of Libya and the national economic institutions to work together to agree on solutions to Libya’s economic problems.

We thank Special Representative Ghassan Salamé for his objective briefing. We also thank Mr. Olof Skoog, Permanent Representative of Sweden, for his report on the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya and, more generally, for his responsible leadership of the Committee. Russia supports the steps undertaken under the auspices of the United Nations to assist in stabilizing Libya. We note Mr. Salamé’s courage and personal efforts and appreciate his commitment to getting results in the work of unifying Libya and stabilizing the internal situation, which is crucial to improving the situation in the region as a whole. We do have to conclude, however, that in spite of all the efforts to establish an intra-Libyan dialogue, the prospects for settling the crisis any time soon are bleak. This is no accident. The situation is very complex, and one of the reasons for that is the continuing distrust among the key players in the Libyan political landscape. They continue to be suspicious of one another, which presents an obstacle to reaching compromise solutions to their disagreements. The meeting on 23 April between Mr. Khalid Al-Mishri, the newly chosen leader of the High Council of State, and Mr. Aqilah Saleh, Speaker of the House of Representatives, gives us a certain degree of optimism. It is very important that the parties agreed to continue their consultations. We hope that the negotiation process will overcome the current impasse, for which Mr. Salamé will personally deserve credit. The forthcoming elections clearly represent an important step in resolving the crisis. However, there are still many issues related to holding them. For example, there is so far no understanding on the electoral law. In other words, we urge continued vigilance and holding to the principle of “first do no harm”. Any decisions and steps taken should be subordinated to the task of uniting the country, its State institutions, political forces and security structures. We want to emphasize Mr. Salamé’s view that the right conditions must be established for the elections. In that regard, one of the main challenges continues to be the establishment of the legal basis for the work of the national authorities’ institutions following the elections. If the parties cannot agree on their modalities in advance, the newly established Government system in Libya may not be viable. The situation is complicated not only by a lack of compromise among the parties but also by security problems. The terrorist attack of 2 May on the High Commission for National Elections in Tripoli was a sad affirmation of that fact. We also have to understand that a great deal will depend on resolving the issue of the forces that ended up being sidelined in the country’s post-revolutionary transformation. There can be no alternative to a negotiated solution to the crisis. The Libyans themselves must decide their country’s future, through a dialogue and in a spirit of openness and compromise, based on the Skhirat agreement reached in Morocco as the only viable foundation for achieving a long-term settlement. The future development of the situation will depend on the success of efforts to restore security, without which it will continue to be a fertile breeding ground for terrorists and armed groups using the institutional vacuum for their criminal activity. The issue of unity on many levels is also crucially important to the joint efforts to combat terrorism. The situation of migrants and refugees in detention centres remains difficult, and they continue to encounter various forms of ill-treatment. There has to be full commitment to tackling that issue. The problem cannot be solved with half measures. Above all, the root causes that resulted in people’s migration have to be dealt with, at which point they will voluntarily return to their homes. We note that the crisis is a long way from being settled, and significant efforts will be needed to reach a durable agreement on the parameters for national reconciliation. We support the initiatives undertaken by the international and regional sponsors of the settlement in Libya, particularly its neighbours Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria. We note the work being done by the African Union in the context of its Ad Hoc High- Level Committee on Libya and by the League of Arab States. The efforts of foreign mediators and external actors should be consolidated and as coordinated as possible, but it is Libyans themselves who must decide their future. The United Nations should continue to play a leading role in the political process. For our part, we will continue to support the Special Representative’s efforts to reach out to all Libyans and to cooperate with all involved partners. In working to resolve the situation in Libya, we must remember that the current problems are the result of the violent overthrow of the Libyan regime, which destroyed its sovereignty and ignored the African Union’s vital initiatives. Those mistakes should teach some serious political lessons about the stability of Libya, its neighbours and other countries that have been subjected to foreign intervention. With regard to the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya, while we greatly value the efforts of the Ambassador of Sweden and his team, we would like to point out that on 3 April, at our initiative, the Committee held a meeting specifically to discuss a leak to the press of the interim report of the Panel of Experts. In general, the issue of leaks about the work of the Council and its subsidiary bodies is extremely relevant and can hardly be explained only by computer network glitches. We were also extremely disappointed that the Committee could not agree on the Chair’s proposed compromise variations of a decision on investigating what occurred. The demands for greater transparency in the work of the Council’s Sanctions Committees should be accompanied by a high degree of responsibility. Russia and Libya are linked by a historically rich and friendly relationship. We will do everything we can, in our national capacity and in cooperation with Libya’s political forces and regional and international partners, to restore Libya and its unity and return it to a future of steady development.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands would like to express its sincere thanks to Special Representative Salamé and Ambassador Olof Skoog for their clear briefings at the beginning of this meeting. I would like to focus on three important aspects with regard to the situation in Libya: first, ending the political crisis: secondly, the human rights situation of migrants; and lastly, the economy of predation. First, with regard to the political process, the Libyan people have been waiting for an end to their country’s political transition for a long time, and we commend Mr. Salamé for his tireless efforts to revitalize the political process. He continues to have our full support. Our main challenge continues to be the lack of political will among the Libyan parties to make the necessary compromises. It is important that they work for credible and tangible results in order to be able to appeal to all Libyans to join the march to peace and stability. We understand the call for elections, but they must be well prepared and can take place only in a secure environment. We strongly condemn the cowardly attack of 2 May on the High Commission for National Elections. In the coming months we will have to pay specific attention to improving the security situation through dialogue with and between the armed groups. My second point concerns the human rights situation of migrants. The Kingdom of the Netherlands remains deeply concerned about the serious human rights violations and abuses against migrants that continue throughout Libya. Trafficking networks exploit migrants and are closely linked to the militia and terrorist groups that have been destabilizing the country. The Security Council has stated its resolve on numerous occasions to address the destabilizing practices of those trafficking networks. It is time to turn our words into action. As part of a comprehensive effort to dismantle those networks and improve the human rights situation of migrants, in cooperation with our partners and with the support of many States, including Libya and countries in the region, the Kingdom of the Netherlands has proposed targeted sanctions against six prominent traffickers. We expect the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya to come to a swift agreement on that important issue, which affects the wider region as well as Libya itself. Thirdly, with regard to the economy of predation, the business of human trafficking is only one example of the criminalization of Libya’s economy. We need to work urgently on the economic, political and security fronts simultaneously in order to facilitate a political solution and stability for Libya. The Libyan people continue to lose millions of dollars in revenue thanks to fuel smuggling, and the fact that armed militias are sabotaging the increase of oil production is particularly worrying. Such issues can be addressed only by engaging with the armed groups, and we commend the steps taken by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya in that regard. In conclusion, the Libyan parties must realize that they are at a crossroads. They can either redouble their efforts to finally bring peace to Libya or bear the responsibility for leaving their country in a prolonged state of instability and disarray. It is up to them to show the courage and leadership necessary to make the necessary compromises. At the same time, they cannot do this alone. The international community, including the Council, should continue to stand ready to help address the Libyan crisis using every tool at its disposal.

We thank Special Representative Ghassan Salamé for his comprehensive briefing. We appreciate the very good work that he is doing and the close working relationship he has established with the African Union. We want to see this continue. Looking back, one can see how useful it is to take into account the African perspective. We reiterate our support for his continued diplomatic endeavours to facilitate a Libyan-led comprehensive political solution to end the crisis. We also thank Ambassador Olof Skoog for his report as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya. We welcome the progress registered in the implementation of the United Nations action plan. Indeed, with the support of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), encouraging actions have been taken by the Libyans to end the protracted transition. The completion of voter registration demonstrates the strong popular desire of Libyans to participate in electoral processes. The continued consultation among the major Libyan actors aimed at forming a new executive authority and reaching a common understanding on how to make limited amendments to the Libyan Political Agreement, which remains the only viable framework, is also encouraging. The ongoing local consultations are also creating opportunities to listen to the voices of all Libyans, which, as the report of the Secretary-General (S/2018/429) indicates, could lead to a successful national conference. We also commend the ongoing local reconciliation processes, which not only support the political process but also address community grievances peacefully and strengthen national cohesion. To fully implement the United Nations plan of action and conclude the prolonged transition, it is imperative to maintain and build on the positive momentum. This requires the continued engagement of all Libyan actors with the United Nations-facilitated peace process, with a genuine and constructive spirit that is vital to ending parallel State institutions. It is also indispensable to create an environment conducive to holding credible elections by finalizing the necessary legal architecture, including the constitutional framework. These are positive developments, but there is obviously no room for complacency, as Libya continues to face multiple challenges. The fragile security situation remains a source of concern. It is deeply troubling that, owing to the continued tension and violence, civilian casualties and displacement continue without letup. Terrorist groups, including elements of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham, continue their attacks. We condemn any violence against civilians or civilian facilities, including the 2 May terrorist attack on the headquarters of the High National Election Commission. The continued climate of insecurity is another reminder of why it is vital to unify Libya’s military and security forces under civilian control and establish the rule of law. With the continued climate of insecurity, it is not only Libyans but also migrants and refugees who continue to suffer. As the Secretary-General stated in paragraph 94 of his report dated 7 May on UNSMIL, “The plight of migrants and the abuses they suffer in Libya … continue to call for joint, concerted and urgent action.” In that regard, while the efforts of the African Union, European Union and United Nations task force are commendable, we hope that the Security Council will also come together to take appropriate measures against illegal human traffickers to send a strong political message that the inhumane treatment of migrants is totally unacceptable. On this and other vital challenges, it is critical, as the Special Representative has stated, to ensure that the Council sends a unified message. We appreciate the important role of neighbouring States and regional organizations, for that will contribute to encouraging all major Libyan actors to sustain their engagement with the United Nations-led inclusive political process. In this regard, we note the series of important meetings held recently, including the fifth Meeting of the African Union High-level Committee on Libya, in Addis Ababa, and the meeting in Cairo last month of the Quartet on Libya, which underscored the full support for the United Nations action plan. Representatives of the countries neighbouring Libya are also meeting in Algiers today. We believe that neighbours and regional organizations should continue to work together in a coordinated and complementary manner to achieve an inclusive and comprehensive political solution that would respond to the legitimate aspirations of all Libyans. As I noted earlier, the unity of the Council also remains important to end the protracted transition in Libya. The Council should continue to send a strong message to the effect that the only way to address the multifaceted challenges, insecurity, economic difficulties and humanitarian concerns is through a sustained and meaningful engagement on the part of the Libyan actors in the inclusive political process set out in United Nations action plan. This is not only in the interests of the Libyans, who have suffered for so long, but of the broader region as well, most particularly the Sahel, for which, as Côte d’Ivoire said a while ago, the crisis in Libya has had a major destabilizing impact.

China thanks Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ghassan Salamé and the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya, Ambassador Olof Skoog, for their briefings. China will continue to support their work. Although the security situation in Libya remains concerning, with localized clashes and terrorist acts occurring sporadically, Libya has worked arduously and achieved steady progress in its political transition thanks to the support of the United Nations, regional organizations and neighbouring countries. That support from the international community should be intensified so as to help Libya get back on its feet swiftly, with restored stability and effective governance, on the basis of respect for Libya’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. I should like to touch on three points. First, we should resolutely advance the Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process. The Libyan parties should press on with inclusive dialogue at various levels, from the national to the local, to build a broader consensus, narrow their differences and find a solution that is acceptable to all stakeholders so as to achieve national reconciliation. Restoring State governance by amending the Libyan Political Agreement is an important step that deserves to be taken seriously by all stakeholders in Libya. Secondly, a better security environment is needed for the political process. Countries and regional organizations that are in a position to influence the parties should leverage such influence and encourage the Libyan actors to refrain from resorting to force on reflex, to achieve reconciliation through confidence-building measures and to create a unified State security institution as soon as possible, so as to put conditions in place that are more conducive to the implementation of the United Nations action plan. Libyan actors, for their part, should work closely together and suppress terrorist activities and organized crime, among other problems. Thirdly, the role and capacity of United Nations good offices should be strengthened through joint efforts. The international community should welcome the efforts of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, led by Special Representative of the Secretary-General Salamé, aimed at galvanizing the implementation of the action plan and supporting Libya in constitution-making, revising the Political Agreement and holding the presidential and parliamentary elections successfully. We would like to see Libya’s neighbours, the African Union, the League of Arab States and the European Union step up their efforts to mediate and encourage peace talks and lend their support to the United Nations action plan. China is of the view that the Security Council sanctions should be aimed at the political settlement of hotspot issues. Council sanctions with regard to Libya should not harm its overall national interests, nor should they prevent it from satisfying its humanitarian and livelihood needs. It will be important to address the continued impairment of the frozen assets. We encourage the Sanctions Committee to expedite its study and respond to Libya’s legitimate concerns appropriately. China supports any and all efforts that contribute to the stabilization of the situation in Libya, its political settlement and the fight against terrorism by all Libyan actors working together. What we want is for security and stability in Libya to be restored as soon as possible so that it can develop and prosper.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Poland. To start with, I would like thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Mr. Ghassan Salamé for his very informative briefing on recent developments in Libya. I also thank Ambassador Olof Skoog for his helpful briefing on the ongoing work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya. Poland welcomes the high turnout in the recently completed voter registration update. It is a testament to Libya’s eagerness to participate in free and fair elections that will mark the end of the transitional period. In that regard, we urge Libyan authorities to finalize the necessary electoral legislation effectively. Despite the significant decrease in civilian casualties in recent months, we remain concerned about the insecurity in various areas throughout Libya, as well as the ongoing human rights violations and abuses in detention centres and the cases of prolonged arbitrary detention without due process. Poland also supports the Security Council’s undertaking of all necessary measures against those responsible for human trafficking, in accordance with Council resolution 1970 (2011). Echoing a recent statement (see S/PV.8250) by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Ms. Fatou Bensouda, we call on the Libyan authorities to fully cooperate with the Court in order to help bring justice and accountability in Libya for crimes under international law. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to Special Representative Salamé and the United Nations personnel working in Libya for their dedication and support for a peaceful end to the transitional period in Libya. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to the representative of Libya.

First and foremost, Madam President, I would like to thank you for convening this meeting of the Security Council today, and the Secretary-General for his report to the Council on the activities of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) in Libya (S/2018/429). I am also grateful to Mr. Ghassan Salamé for his briefing, in which he outlined UNSMIL’s activities aimed at bringing an end to the political crisis in my country that sadly seems so deeply entrenched. Lastly, I thank Ambassador Olof Skoog for his briefing in his capacity as Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya. In the light of the efforts spearheaded by the Council to come to the aid of my country and help us emerge from our current crisis, the international community also has a responsibility to support and engage more effectively and efficiently with Libyans in order to help us to set aside our domestic differences and establish the foundations and institutions for a modern, responsible, democratic State, free from unjustified meddling by some parties, which so far has only hampered our efforts to transition to a more inclusive political process and has further exacerbated the suffering of the Libyan people. It must end. We therefore welcome the United Nations action plan, announced here in New York when it was unveiled on 20 September 2017. Among other things, it is aimed at ensuring that elections are held by the end of 2018, within a year of its adoption. We would like to reiterate the position of the Government of National Accord, which is firmly behind the action plan and fully supports the importance of organizing and holding presidential and legislative elections within the given time frame, thereby leading to the establishment of the executive bodies and branches needed to enable an end to be brought to the crisis in Libya. Nevertheless, all of this can be achieved only with effective, efficient and ongoing international support, which will enable all the parties in Libya to engage in the democratic process so as to ensure that the votes of the Libyan people themselves will be used to set aside differences and produce an acceptable outcome. In the past few years we have witnessed a great deal of pain in which Libyans have suffered on every front — political, economic and social. It has been a harrowing time. We would therefore like to once again underscore the importance of ensuring that everyone moves together in lockstep in their efforts to help end the crisis in Libya. We cannot have a fragmented approach. We must all act as one in order to ensure that we end up with a democratic and responsible State that safeguards, protects and upholds the rights of its citizens, that can fight terrorism and prevail and that believes in political pluralism and the peaceful transition of power — in other words, a State that is working to move ahead on the basis of progress and prosperity. That goal reflects the aspirations of all Libyans, who have reached the end of their rope. They are no longer prepared to suffer under the successive crises they have endured in recent years, particularly through the issues of the proliferation of weapons, the wave of organized crime and major economic problems. Irresponsible parties have been wreaking havoc on our economy, which is being damaged by people who, to put it mildly, should be properly labelled as criminals. They have turned Libya into a fertile breeding ground for their criminal activities through their predatory acts and their effects on our economy. The Government of National Accord will spare no effort to bring Libyans together to ensure that it can meet the aspirations of all parties and hear all of their concerns. Despite the difficulty of that task, we are determined to do all we can to satisfy all aspirations and needs. I want to underscore that national and patriotic Libyans have lent their support to the Government of National Accord and to our efforts to bring about national reconciliation on a comprehensive, country- wide basis. All national efforts within Libya enjoy our support, particularly local mediation and initiatives, because we have repeatedly seen that they help to reduce tension, end crises and bring about rapprochement and reconciliation between tribes. Such local reconciliation activities have meant that many cities and towns in Libya that were previously theatres of war between clashing armies, often pitting brotherly neighbouring tribes against one another, are now enjoying security and safety. We also welcome all positive efforts by neighbouring States and the international community to help Libya recover from the crisis. We commend the 30 April communiqué from the quadripartite negotiations in Cairo, which underscored support for the United Nations action plan for Libya and the need to work quickly to implement it. The emergence of terrorism and the acts of armed groups in Libya have resulted from ideas and ideologies that are completely foreign to the nature and desires of the Libyan people, who are, on the contrary, well known for their moderation and tolerance. Such foreign, erroneous ideologies fuel notions imported from abroad and have nothing to do with the actual precepts of our religion of Islam, seeking rather to sow anarchy, terror and destruction in our country. By way of response, therefore, we have taken action. In that regard, we welcome the support for our response from many of the countries that have stood with Libya as we seek to tackle that phenomenon, which unfortunately has killed or seduced many of our young people. The most recent attack by these armed terrorist groups in Libya, which targeted the High Commission for National Elections on 2 May, resulted in large numbers of deaths and injuries and was broadly condemned by the international community and Libyans alike. This cowardly attack showed once again that these groups must be brought to justice and their universally reviled acts ended. We call on the international community to step up its efforts to exterminate this global scourge by cutting off the sources of financing for armed terrorist groups. We in Libya will spare no effort in upholding our responsibility to eradicate terrorism, including by cooperating with the international community. In that regard, we would like to cite the Presidential Council statement issued on 16 May, which affirmed the Government of National Accord’s opposition to terrorism in every form and urged the Libyan people to overcome their differences. With regard to the ongoing operations in Derna, the Government of National Accord also urged all people of sense in the region to help to intervene, lift the siege on the city and protect the lives of innocent civilians. We want to emphasize once again how urgent it is to ensure that while combating terrorism we also protect the lives of innocent civilians. We call on all parties throughout Libya to overcome their differences through peaceful dialogue and to refrain from the use of force, which can only further divide the Libyan people and destroy more of our infrastructure. The recent reduction in the number of migrants arriving in Libya via trafficking and smuggling has provided some respite, as some countries of destination have recognized. The drop is thanks largely to efforts to cut off migrant flows at the source, including on the part of the Security Council and, in Libya, by the Presidential Council and the Government of National Accord, as they work to reverse the adverse impact of migrant trafficking and smuggling. For example, we have launched broad campaigns, which have had some effect, targeting those who smuggle and traffic migrants in or through Libyan territory. The Government has also established reception centres for migrants through joint efforts with UNSMIL and with the support of the International Organization for Migration. We have also been able to repatriate many migrants, but further efforts in that regard will require the continued support of the international community, in cooperation with the countries of origin. The countries of origin, in turn, must get the support they need to pursue development at the domestic level, in accordance with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, thereby giving migrants an incentive to stay home rather than put their lives on the line by migrating, especially through clandestine trafficking or smuggling. Turning to the area of humanitarian action, some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are being used as cover by human traffickers or smugglers. On 19 March, for example, two members of the crew of a rescue boat operated by an NGO were arrested by a European Government because, despite their NGO disguise, they were covertly supporting human trafficking and smuggling. The phenomenon must be recognized and addressed. We must also address the elephant in the room, which is the fact that the smuggling and trafficking of migrants is very closely coordinated by criminal gangs on both sides of the Mediterranean, in Europe and Africa alike. We want to stress the importance of tackling trafficking and smuggling groups on both continents as the one sure way to put an end to their abhorrent enterprise. In that regard, we must end the suspicious activities of certain NGOs that threaten Libya’s democracy and national security. In conclusion, I would like to once again reiterate that the Libyan people have had enough of the deteriorating conditions in their everyday lives, especially on the economic front, as a result of the country’s ongoing political divisions. We sincerely hope that through the Security Council the international community will redouble its efforts to support the implementation of the United Nations action plan for Libya, adopted on 20 September 2017, and to put an end to foreign interference in Libyan affairs while continuing to address our security problems, which are just as important as political issues. As we have repeatedly stressed, no initiative in Libya can succeed without resolving the security situation.

There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on the subject.