S/PV.8595 Security Council

On behalf of the members of the Security Council, I should like to condemn in the strongest terms the outrageous, deadly and totally unacceptable attack on the United Nations that occurred today in Benghazi, Libya. We understand that three United Nations staff members were killed, and others were injured. The members of the Security Council convey their deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Those brave workers were operating under a mandate given by the Council in order to provide a more secure future for the people of Libya. We commemorate their ultimate sacrifice in the cause of peace. I ask those present to now rise and observe a minute of silence for those killed.

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 Ms. Bintou Keita, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I give the floor to Ms. Keita. Ms. Keita: I begin with the tragic news of the car bomb explosion that took place in Benghazi today. There were a number of casualties, including United Nations staff working and living in Benghazi. We are now in a position to confirm that three United Nations staff members were among the fatalities. Two others were injured and are now being treated. Scores of Libyans are also among the injured. This horrific attack came as the people in Benghazi were preparing for the Eid Al-Adha holiday, in an area supposedly under the full security control of General Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) forces. It serves to highlight the continued danger of terrorism across the country and the limits of effective security control in the absence of one Government and one military and police force working across the country. It also confirms that this latest bout of hostilities is creating a vacuum that is easily exploited by radical elements that thrive on chaos and violence. The United Nations does not intend to evacuate from Libya. For the foreseeable future, our place remains alongside the Libyan people, like our brave colleagues who gave their lives today. There are other significant developments today in Libya. It is a positive development that both Prime Minister Serraj and General Haftar’s Libyan National Army forces have agreed to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General’s 29 July call for a truce for the period of Eid Al-Adha to begin this evening. I can only hope that both sides will genuinely abide by their public commitment in good faith. This senseless and absurd violence needs to stop. We have made it clear on several occasions, in front of this same audience, that no party can emerge as the winner from the current conflict. Today is clear evidence that there are already many losers, the majority of whom are innocent Libyan civilians. This message has resonated both with Libyans directly party to the conflict and to those international and regional stakeholders in Libya, who have seen that after more than four months of conflict there is no quick military win capable of resolving the complex situation on the ground. Terrorism cannot be effectively fought under the current circumstances on the ground, the tragedy of illegal migration cannot be adequately addressed and Libya’s substantial economic potential cannot be realized for the benefit of the Libyan people or as a stabilizing influence in the region and beyond. In the days leading up to the truce, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya worked hard to build confidence between the parties. The proposed immediate humanitarian measures, including the exchange of prisoners, the exchange of mortal remains and visits to prisoners or phone calls, can re-establish contacts and lower tensions to enable a truce. We urge the parties to seize this opportunity. This is the first step in returning to a political process. It is essential that the truce be deepened and strengthened through these important confidence-building measures and that the parties quickly participate in an international meeting to recommit to a road map to transition the country from conflict back to a peaceful, democratic process. Consistent with the Special Representative’s initiative, such a meeting would then be followed by a meeting of Libyans themselves. The Council’s press statement of 5 July (SC/13873) in support of the call for a truce was certainly an important element in demonstrating the renewed unity of the international community, its faith in the Special Representative and its commitment to his three-point initiative to end the conflict. The public and private support of key Member States has also played a considerable role in building the credibility and necessity for the truce that is now about to start. The situation on the ground necessitates a countrywide truce. The continued brutal descent of southern Libya into chaos and intercommunal feuds is a disturbing harbinger of what may ensue should the wider conflict persist. Simmering intercommunal tensions between Tebu and Ahali groups in Murzuq, exacerbated by countrywide political polarization, took a turn for the worse. On 4 August, three LNA air strikes against Tebu elements, including a number of civilians, resulted in approximately 45 fatalities. Murzuq suffers from the same environment as much of Libya — an absence of State institutions manifested through the absence of services, an almost total lack of governance, a lack of impartial security forces and an absence of hope. It is a tragedy that so many have died in a town where there are deep-rooted grievances that, in the current circumstances, risk taking on a national dimension. It is essential that the intracommunal violence in Murzuq not spread to other towns in the south. I therefore ask the Council to express its emphatic support to ensure that the truce takes place not only in the areas under the clear control of specific security forces but also in areas where there is no clear security actor. The United Nations family has been active in trying to address the urgent humanitarian priorities in Murzuq through the provision of safe passage for the injured and emergency supplies of food, shelter and medicine. I would like to conclude by raising an issue that the Special Representative and many Member States have been following closely, that is, the fate of abducted lawmaker Siham Sergewa. Ms. Sergewa was abducted from her home in Benghazi on 17 July and has not been heard from since. This unacceptable attack on a female lawmaker constitutes a serious crime against women and the prospect for women playing a role in political life in Libya. We are grateful to those Member States that have continued to follow the case closely and reiterate our demand that the authorities in Benghazi assume their responsibility and find those responsible for this cowardly abduction of a female parliamentarian in front of her family.

I thank Ms. Keita for her briefing. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

I thank you, Madam President, for convening this meeting at France’s request. I also thank Ms. Bintou Keita for her briefing. It was essential for the Security Council to meet today in an emergency meeting given the developments in Libya over the past few hours. The Libyan conflict is indeed at a critical juncture. My thoughts go out, first and foremost, to the personnel of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) who were victims of an attack on a Mission convoy to Benghazi, which, as Ms. Keita indicated, killed three and injured at least two Mission personnel. France condemns that attack in the strongest terms and extends its condolences to the families and relatives of the victims. France demands an immediate investigation of the circumstances surrounding the events and calls for the parties responsible to be held accountable. In these tragic circumstances, I reiterate France’s firm support for the Special Representative and staff of UNSMIL, who work tirelessly work for peace in a very difficult and dangerous context. France welcomes the truce accepted today by both sides, which represents an important first step to alleviate the suffering of the Libyan people and create the conditions to move towards a lasting political solution allowing Libya to restore peace and stability. We met here on the 29 July (see S/PV.8588) to call on the Libyan parties to work with the Special Representative to strike a truce for Eid Al-Adha. We reiterated this call in our press statement of 5 August (SC/13910) and expressed the unanimous support of the Security Council for the efforts of Ghassan Salamé. Since then, France, like many of its partners and, naturally, Special Representative of the Secretary- General Ghassan Salamé, has worked tirelessly with the parties to persuade them to commit to today’s truce. We call on the Libyan National Army and the Government of National Accord to uphold this truce across Libya in the long term so that the discussions necessary to going even further can be held. There is and can be no military solution to the crisis, and continued fighting would benefit only criminals and terrorists. This truce is therefore essential to prevent any further deterioration in the situation, to allow civilians to leave conflict areas and to allow humanitarian assistance to reach those in urgent need. The truce must be accompanied by confidence-building measures aimed at laying the groundwork for a lasting ceasefire based on credible guarantees. The solution lies exclusively in the implementation of a lasting ceasefire, as part of a resumed political process under the auspices of the Special Representative. This conclusion is shared by Council members, and we must join together to achieve it. France calls on the Libyan parties to resume talks on this basis, under the auspices of the Special Representative, so as to swiftly forge the elements of an agreement that addresses the concerns of all parties and, above all, the expectations of the of the Libyan population, based on the principles agreed in Paris, Palermo and Abu Dhabi. These parameters must be based on security and economic reforms that prioritize the swift implementation of transparent governance in the Central Bank, reformed management of oil revenue and the unification of financial and security institutions for the good of all Libyans. They must be complemented by robust security provisions supported by respect for Security Council, especially with respect to the arms embargo. We strongly urge all parties to seize the opportunity provided by the truce to move towards a comprehensive political solution, as the Council has always called for. In this regard, we support the principles of the press statement proposed by the United Kingdom. I express my thanks once again and wish a happy Eid to all those who are celebrating it.

I express my thanks to France and to you, Madam President, for having arranged this meeting. I also thank the Assistant Secretary-General for her briefing on this very sobering occasion. I join others in condemning, in the strongest terms, today’s attack on the United Nations convoy in Benghazi. We send our deepest sympathy to the families of the victims. The United Nations exists to help and protect people. An attack against its representatives is an attack on the international community at large. We salute the work that the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) is doing in Libya. At the same time, as the Assistant Secretary- General said, scores of Libyans have also been injured. I would like, therefore, through the representative of Libyan, to convey my country’s condolences and sympathies to his country and to his people and to the families and friends of the victims. It was an appalling act, and we agree that it should be investigated and that those behind it should be identified and held to account. It was particularly cruel and did great disrespect to the Libyan people to conduct such an attack on the Eid Al-Adha holiday. Until this moment, we all had very high hopes for the truce that the Security Council and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General had called for. We call on all the parties to ensure that the truce takes place, that it holds and that the parties commit to confidence-building measures. In that connection, I want to reiterate our full support for the leadership of Special Representative Ghassan Salamé and to thank him for his efforts in securing this truce, which I think we all know is badly needed. As the Assistant Secretary-General said, among all of the sadness and violence, it is a welcome step. We need to go further. I agree with the representative of France that this is a critical moment for the Libyan conflict. The parties need to go beyond the truce to commit to a permanent ceasefire and a return to political dialogue. There can be no military solution to the conflict in Libya. What do we mean by that? Well, first of all, we salute the United Nations for not evacuating in the face of all these dangers. I echo what the Assistant Secretary-General said to the effect that the potential of Libya cannot be unlocked while the violence continues. What it means to have no military solution is that we must all call in a unified voice for the truce to take place and to be followed by a ceasefire. We need to implement the arms embargo and call on all States to do so. We need to hold to account groups that violate our resolutions or do not support the United Nations-led process, and we need to get back into international and then local dialogue.

I would like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Bintou Keita for her statement and for being with us today. At the outset, I would like to state that Belgium deplores and condemns the attack in Benghazi this morning against personnel of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), and to offer our condolences for the deaths of three mission personnel and the suffering of the others wounded. It is the responsibility of the local authorities to identify and convict the criminals responsible for this attack. Moreover, international humanitarian law has again been flagrantly violated in recent days in Libya, with civilians being the principal victims. I therefore denounce recent renewed attacks against Tripoli airport and the air attack in Murzuq in the far south on 5 August  — further evidence that fighting has spread far from the capital. It is the responsibility of the parties to protect civilians, and I wish to reiterate my country’s commitment to ensuring that these crimes do not go unpunished, whether in domestic courts or the International Criminal Court. Belgium welcomes the truce proposed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and strongly supported by the Security Council, and insists that the agreement between the Government of National Accord and the Libyan National Army must be respected. Belgium calls on the parties to refrain from resuming military operations once the truce is over, and to transition instead to a lasting ceasefire. At the same time, political dialogue must resume, without preconditions and under the mediation of Special Representative Salamé, with a view to free Libya from the military mindset. It is now undeniable that a such an approach leads nowhere. It is also crucial that the arms embargo be respected, arms transfers stop and the recruitment of fighters, including foreign mercenaries and terrorists and criminals listed by the Security Council, cease. Belgium would like the Council to take an explicit position in this regard at the end of the meeting. In conclusion, I should like once again to recognize, at this painful moment, the courage and determination of all UNSMIL staff, especially Special Representative Salamé.

I thank you, Madam President, for having organized this meeting at the request of France. We would like, in particular, to thank Ms. Bintou Keita, Assistant Secretary-General, for her statement. We likewise deplore the attack near a shopping centre in Benghazi on the eve of Eid. We also support the press statement condemning that criminal attack on the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). We extend our sincere condolences to the families of the victims, including UNSMIL staff members. We hope that those who were injured will make a speedy recovery. Those terrorist attacks underscore the importance of the Council’s support for the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya, Mr. Ghassan Salamé, to facilitate a comprehensive political process commensurate with the United Nations plan to improve the humanitarian situation by ensuring access to humanitarian aid for those who need it. Libyans have been facing a very difficult humanitarian situation, which has deteriorated in particular as a result of the recent military operations around Tripoli. We call on all parties to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid without delay and without discrimination. We also welcome the fact that the parties to the conflict have accepted the ceasefire proposed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, which has been supported by the Security Council. The Council must be strongly united in support of the ceasefire and call on all parties to the conflict to uphold the ceasefire so that it goes hand in hand with confidence-building measures. We also reiterate our position that there is no military solution to the crisis. As we said, we call on the Libyan parties to respect and build on the Eid Al-Adha truce while practicing restraint and showing respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law. We also call on the Libyan parties to reach a political settlement in line with the understandings agreed upon in Paris, Palermo and Abu Dhabi to ensure transparent, comprehensive and peaceful presidential and parliamentary elections. The Libyan parties must uphold their national interests above and beyond all other interests. They must also work concretely and constructively with the United Nations efforts to establish stability in that brotherly Arab country and to reach a settlement in line with the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people to live in security and safety while ensuring the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Libya. In conclusion, I would like to sincerely congratulate the Arab and Muslim nations on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha. We ask Allah Almighty that the Arab and Muslim countries may repeatedly celebrate this occasion with stability, security and prosperity.

We thank the Assistant Secretary-General for Africa for her update and briefing. We strongly condemn the cowardly attack that took the lives of staff members of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and injured others, including Libyan nationals. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and the people of those injured and killed. Our thoughts and prayers are with them today. We look forward to the results of the investigation into the incident by the local authorities and trust that the perpetrators will be brought to justice. Today’s events remind us of two things. First of all, they again remind us of the laudable courage and determination with which United Nations mission staff all over the world carry out their duties in difficult and dangerous environments. We express our firm support to all UNSMIL staff members, under the leadership of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya, Mr. Salamé, and their tireless work for peace and stability for the benefit of all people in Libya. Secondly, these events also remind us of the tragedy suffered by the people in Libya and of the extremely high number of people in Libya who have lost their lives or been injured or displaced due to the outbreak of hostilities since the beginning of April. We therefore very much welcome the announcements by the parties to honour the truce proposed by Special Representative Salamé on 29 July for the Eid Al-Adha festivities. It is high time for the fighting to stop and for the humanitarian disaster caused by it to finally end. The Eid truce could be the first step and the parties need to hear an unequivocal message from the Council today. The truce needs to hold so as to relieve the suffering among civilians and to open the door for a return to the negotiating table. The only solution to the conflict is political, not military. Therefore, we appeal to all international actors to impress upon the parties the importance of preserving the truce. Today we focus on the next hours and days in Libya. The commitment of the parties to honouring the truce is of key importance and no effort should be spared to successfully implement it. At the same time, we need to look simultaneously beyond the next few days and hours. To that end, it is imperative that all Libyan parties commit to a permanent ceasefire and a return to a United Nations-facilitated political process that paves the way for lasting peace, political stability and unified institutions. We therefore call on all parties to return to the negotiating table. We strongly support the three-point plan that Special Representative Salamé has proposed, aimed at reviving an inclusive political process under United Nations auspices. We ask all international actors to support the implementation of the three-point plan and use their influence to bring all parties back to the political process. In that vein, we also call on all United Nations Members to fully respect their obligations to contribute to Libya’s peace and stability, and in particular to respect the arms embargo, in line with relevant Security Council resolutions.

We thank you, Madam President, for convening today’s urgent meeting. We also thank Ms. Bintou Keita for her briefing. The Dominican Republic rejects and totally condemns the attack on the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). Regrettably, today’s attack in the neighbourhood of Al-Hawari, in the city of Benghazi, claimed the lives of at least three of the Mission’s staff members and injured several others, some seriously. We extend our condolences to the relatives of those who lost their lives and to UNSMIL, through Mr. Ghassan Salamé. We hope that the approximately 12 people, including children, who were injured in the cowardly attack will make a speedy recovery. We urge the authorities to conduct an in-depth investigation into the attack and bring those responsible to justice. In June, we were shaken to the core by the bombing of a detention centre in Tajoura. Dozens of innocent people lost their lives in an instant. This week, we again learned of the harrowing events that occurred in the district of Qalaa, in the town of Murzuq, which claimed more than 100 victims  — 42 dead and more than 60 injured — and was the result of not one, not two, but three consecutive attacks targeting a meeting in that community. As we have warned since May, attacks and clashes are resulting in an ever-increasing number of fatalities because of a surge in the military capacity of the parties involved. External aid, in clear violation of the arms embargo, only exacerbates the crisis and fuels the conflict week after week. The Council must act to end those violations. For the good of the Libyan people and their interests, we call on all parties to respect the sanctity of Eid Al-Adha, allow the festivities to take place and not interfere with the safe return of pilgrims. We remain hopeful that the ceasefire brokered by UNSMIL and to which the parties committed until the end of the Eid Al-Adha festivities will serve as a forum for reflection and the re-evaluation of their strategies. The Dominican Republic demands that the ceasefire be upheld and a return to United Nations- facilitated political dialogue. What we have seen since the beginning of April confirms that there is no military solution to the conflict in Libya and the parties must recognize that fact. We call on the aggressors to commit to protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure and to allow, without discrimination, access for humanitarian aid into areas affected by the conflict. In conclusion, we call for respect for international humanitarian law and human rights.

I thank Assistant Secretary-General Keita for her sobering briefing today. The United States strongly condemns the attack in Benghazi that killed and injured United Nations staff members and a number of civilians. We extend our condolences and sympathies to the victims, their families and indeed the entire United Nations family. Today’s violence in Benghazi underscores the need for an immediate reduction in violence and a prompt return to the United Nations-mediated political process. We welcome the United Nations Special Representative’s call for a truce and commitments from the Libyan parties to halt military activities during the Eid Al-Adha holiday. All sides should now take durable steps to de-escalate and reduce the ongoing violence and to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. We urge the sides to support confidence-building measures also proposed by the Special Representative as steps that could lead to a sustainable ceasefire and inclusive dialogue. We also urge both sides to allow humanitarian access via protected corridors. As it has often been repeated in the Security Council Chamber, durable peace in Libya requires a political solution.

My delegation congratulates Assistant Secretary General Bintou Keita on her briefing on the security challenges in Libya following the car-bomb attack in Benghazi that today killed three workers from the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). Côte d’Ivoire condemns unreservedly and in the strongest terms this attack perpetrated in a commercial area. It addresses its most heartfelt condolences to the grieving families at the United Nations, as well as to UNSMIL, to which our country renews its support for its determined commitment to finding a solution to the Libyan crisis. Finally, my delegation wishes a prompt and full recovery to the wounded of this barbaric attack. As it did following the bombing of the Tajoura detention centre, which killed 53 emigrants on 3 July, Côte d’Ivoire calls for the perpetrators of these heinous attacks to be brought before the competent courts. More than four months after the beginning of hostilities for the control of the capital, Tripoli, the Libyan crisis is more than ever at an impasse, and today’s attack on UNSMIL personnel must challenge our Council on the need to bring the belligerents to accept a ceasefire. Like the other States members of the Council, Côte d’Ivoire has always expressed its deep concern about the consequences of the fighting on the integrity of UNSMIL personnel, on the security and humanitarian situation, and on the political process for ending the crisis in Libya. Unfortunately, the confirmed deliveries of weapons to the parties to the conflict, in flagrant violation of the arms embargo, remain a source of deep concern, especially as they fuel a conflict whose stalemate makes it difficult to achieve a ceasefire and an immediate resumption of the inter-Libyan dialogue. In this context, Côte d’Ivoire welcomes General Khalifa Haftar’s announcement today of a truce on the eve of the Muslim holiday of Eid Al-Adha. It also welcomes the commitment of the Government of National Accord to alleviate the suffering of the population and its readiness to also accept a humanitarian ceasefire for the celebration of Eid Al-Adha. My delegation therefore calls on the belligerents to translate their commitments into action and urges them to extend the truce in order to relaunch the political process to end the crisis. In conclusion, Côte d’Ivoire reaffirms its support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Ghassan Salamé, and for the UNSMIL staff, who are working in a very delicate security environment.

I wish to thank you, Madam President, for calling today’s emergency open meeting. I wish also to thank Assistant Secretary-General Keita for her briefing. We very strongly condemn today’s car bombing in Benghazi, Libya. We mourn the loss of three security officers of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and we offer our condolences to their families and to the Mission. We wish the wounded and injured an early recovery. China commends UNSMIL for its work in very challenging conditions. Nearly two weeks ago, Special Representative of the Secretary-General Salamé made a three-part action proposal to end Libyan conflict, which includes the appeal to the parties to call a humanitarian truce during Eid Al-Adha (see S/PV.8588). The Government of National Accord’s Presidency Council already announced its conditional acceptance of the humanitarian truce during the holiday. The Libyan National Army also announced a halt of military operations during the same period. China welcomes these developments. We hope that all relevant parties will effectively implement the relevant commitments and continue to respond positively to the Special Representative’s three-part proposal and meet each other halfway so as to create conditions for the resumption of political talks. The eight-year-long conflict in Libya has affected the country itself and its neighbours, causing great suffering to the Libyan people and threatening international peace and security. We call upon the Libyan parties to focus on the overall interests of the country and the people and to work for a peaceful settlement through political dialogue. To this end, the international community should provide constructive assistance, bolster the United Nations-facilitated the political settlement process, support Special Representative Salamé in his work, respect Libya’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and promote peace talks, so as to play a positive role in enabling the ceasefire and restarting the political dialogue. China stands ready to work with international community to assist Libya in achieving peace and stability and in helping its people living a happy and peaceful life at an early date.

At the outset, my delegation wishes to extend its sincere condolences to the families of the United Nations staff members who lost their lives. South Africa also wishes a speedy recovery to all those who were injured. My delegation thanks Ms. Bintou Keita, the Assistant Secretary-General, for her briefing on the events surrounding today’s incident. South Africa echoes the Secretary-General’s condemnation of the car- bombing incident that took place outside the mall in the Al-Hawari neighbourhood of Benghazi. We further call on all parties to the conflict to respect the humanitarian truce that they have committed themselves to during the Eid Al-Adha holiday, and we urge them to turn this truce into a permanent ceasefire. My delegation remains deeply concerned with the human cost of the battle for Tripoli. To date over 1,100 people have been killed, with more than 100,000 persons being displaced. Equally dire is the price paid by the African migrants who endeavour to cross the Mediterranean Sea seeking safety. We wish to remind the Security Council that the humanitarian ship Open Arms has remained stuck in the Mediterranean Sea off Italy’s southernmost island for nine days, having received no offer for safe harbour for the 121 migrants aboard. We therefore call on the Council to treat all issues related to the Libyan conflict with the same sense of urgency, which includes the plight of and attacks on migrants. All human life matters equally. South Africa calls on the Security Council to support the agreement of both the Government of National Accord and General Haftar to accede to calls by the Secretary-General, Special Representative Salamé and the Security Council for a humanitarian truce. This positive development, which all of us have been working towards, requires nurturing by all. This humanitarian truce opens a window of opportunity for all of us to focus on encouraging all parties to return to negotiations and towards finding a lasting political solution to the situation in Libya. South Africa reiterates her position and that of the African Union that there is no military solution to the Libyan crisis. Lastly, in conclusion, we urge the Council to support the African Union in bolstering the political process to find a settlement to the conflict in Libya.

First of all, I would like to thank you, Madam President, for convening this emergency briefing on the situation in Libya. We also thank Assistant Secretary-General Bintou Keita for her briefing on such short notice. Our meeting today is the culmination of the series of events that have been transpiring since the beginning of April. What we feared, and what we were constantly warned about, happened. The lives lost in Benghazi are the result of a prolonged conflict that has been left unresolved. Allow me to make four pertinent points. First, Indonesia strongly condemns in the strongest terms the attack in Benghazi today that resulted in the deaths0 of three staff members of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and a number of civilian casualties. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the United Nations for their loss. Indonesia, as a contributor of personnel to United Nations missions, also feels the loss of those fallen. Secondly, we call for an immediate investigation into the attack and for its perpetrators to be brought to justice. Attacks on humanitarian workers, United Nations personnel and civilian facilities are unacceptable. They must stop. We call for all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and human rights. Thirdly, Indonesia reaffirms its full support to Mr. Salamé, Special Representative of the Secretary- General, and UNSMIL in restoring a unified international position on Libya to end its current crisis. We welcome his three-step proposal as a solution to the conflict, which begins with the appeal for a truce during the Eid Al-Adha holiday. We welcome the decision by both parties for a truce during Eid Al-Adha. We believe that our collective action in creating an atmosphere conducive to the implementation of a truce will be a strong building block for further steps. It is also the very reason that we should spare no effort to nurture and sustain confidence-building measures. It is without a doubt that UNSMIL’s role in Libya is of crucial importance. Any efforts, including villainous acts towards UNSMIL personnel, will only destroy the chance for achieving a peaceful future in Libya. Lastly, we urge those with ties and influence to use their positions to push the parties to the conflict to return to negotiating table as soon as possible. To that end, we reiterate our call, in line with the Security Council press statements of 5 July (SC/13873) and 5 August (SC/13910), for all States to refrain from taking measures that will exacerbate the conflict. On the eve of Eid Al-Adha and in the light of the acceptance of a truce, I would like to once again appeal for the unity of the Council to keep peace in Libya and prevent the further loss of life.

We would like to sincerely thank and commend Assistant Secretary-General Bintou Keita for the clear and informative briefing she just delivered on the recent developments in Libya, specifically in Benghazi. The Republic of Equatorial Guinea expresses its unequivocal condemnation of the car bomb attack carried out today in Benghazi, which led to the deaths of three United Nations staff members. We convey our deepest condolences to the United Nations, the entire team of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the respective families. We urge there to be a thorough investigation to shed light on the circumstances and for those responsible to be brought to justice. We pay tribute to the three United Nations staff members who lost their lives for the noble cause of restoring peace and stability to the Libyan people. We express our support to Mr. Ghassan Salamé, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNSMIL, as well as his entire team. The Republic of Equatorial Guinea is profoundly dismayed by the recent events, which is why we support the call by Mr. Salamé for the Eid Al-Adha truce to be observed. Today’s attack is part of the series of other attacks that includes the one against the migrant detention centre in Tajoura, in which 59 migrants died. We are convinced that there is no military solution to the situation in Libya. The only avenue forward is direct, frank and inclusive dialogue, which is Libyan-led and supported by the United Nations, in coordination with the African Union. Similarly, we would like to underscore the need to uphold international humanitarian law and international human rights law in order to ensure the safety and security of civilians. We strongly appeal for a definitive end to the hostilities in Libya and for the arms embargo imposed by the Security Council to be respected. We are also worried that third-party agendas and interests seem to be affecting the conflict, rather than the United Nations and the interests of the Libyans themselves. As long as that continues, serious doubts will be cast on the image of this supreme institution of the United Nations. We believe that we are sending the wrong message to the world, specifically to those who are enduring those barbaric attacks, the Libyans themselves, as well as migrants and refugees stranded in that brotherly country, who are victims of human smuggling networks and targets of attacks in the conflict. We would like to believe that there is still time to put this crisis on the right path, where there is no place for external third parties to play their damaging and negative role. We have to be absolutely clear that what we are ultimately talking about is innocent human lives, above all the most vulnerable. To conclude, we would like to reiterate our unwavering solidarity with the Libyan people and encourage the international community to pool its efforts with a view to finding a peaceful solution to put an end to the conflict. We extend our warm wishes to the Muslim community as it celebrates Eid Al-Adha.

We appreciate the timely convening of this emergency meeting and the informative briefing delivered by Assistant Secretary-General Bintou Keita. Peru categorically condemns the horrendous attacks that occurred today in Benghazi. We join other delegations in expressing our profound condolences over the loss of civilian civilians and those of United Nations staff members. In that regard, we reaffirm our support to Special Representative of the Secretary-General Salamé and his entire team, who are working tirelessly in very difficult conditions. As Ms. Keita said, the ongoing conflict is leaving behind voids that are being filled by unscrupulous terrorist groups, which spread only death and destruction. Peru reiterates its support for the three-point plan presented by Special Representative Salamé in July (see S/PV.8588). We hope that the truce that was announced will be strictly upheld by both parties and that it will be followed by high- level meetings with the parties concerned, leading to a Libyan-owned, Libyan-led and Libyan-owned national dialogue. Peru urges the parties to return to the negotiating table, with renewed mediation efforts, so as to find a peaceful solution in an environment where a military solution will lead only to more death. Lastly, we urge countries able to influence the parties to do so immediately and effectively to bring them together and once and for all overcome all economic and strategic considerations so as to allow them to immediately ensure unconditional respect for international humanitarian law and human rights

We are grateful to Assistant Secretary- General for Africa Bintou Keita for her briefing on the current situation in Libya. The reason for our meeting today is very sad. We listened with deep regret to the information that we received from Libya pertaining to the terrorist attack in Benghazi, which according to reports led to the deaths of two staff members of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. We offer our condolences to the United Nations and the families and friends of the victims. We condemn this and other terrorist attacks that have resulted in the deaths of Libyan civilians. Furthermore, I must note that, over the past two to three weeks, several hundred migrants travelling to Europe from Libya and other countries have drowned after their boats capsized in the Mediterranean Sea. Those are just some of the most recent among a multitude of catastrophes that have befallen Libyans and other Africans who have abandoned all hope for stability and peace in their countries. During the minute of silence that you declared, Madam President, our thoughts were also with them. After all, all lives matter. It is clear that the worst-case predictions that we have made on many occasions are becoming a reality; as a result of the strife, terrorist groups are becoming increasingly active, in part, owing to the fact that jihadists from other Arab States, especially Syria and Iraq, are infiltrating Libya. All of that only further reaffirms the urgency of our calls to join efforts in the uncompromising fight against this universal evil. At the same time, it is imperative to set aside double standards and avoid fraternizing with radicals in order to use them to opportunistic ends. We are also concerned about the situation concerning illegal migration, but the solution to that problem hardly resides in imposing sanctions. The true causes underpinning the mass movement of people lie primarily in socioeconomic distress and conflict situations. However, it is not the migrants that must be dealt with, but rather the root causes of the problem. All of the tragic events that I just mentioned only underscore the instability of the internal situation in Libya. What is happening there is a direct consequence of the destruction of Libyan statehood during the well-known events of 2011, as a result of which the country has found itself in a catastrophic situation. We would like to believe that those who were behind that risky geopolitical adventure fully understand their responsibility for the collapse of this State and the terrorist chaos that African countries neighbouring Libya continue to experience to this day. It is also clear to us that the continued fighting in Libya is only exacerbating the situation. The number of people killed, injured and internally displaced is increasing, and urban infrastructure is being destroyed. Humanitarian organizations are sounding the alarm. There are simply no alternatives to a political and diplomatic solution to the issue of national reconciliation and the re-establishment of unified and effective State institutions. We regret to note that trust has eroded among the warring parties. We draw the attention of all the Libyan parties to our principled position based on support for political outcomes and United Nations mediation efforts. As we have repeatedly stressed, the United Nations must play a central role in such efforts. We support the immediate cessation of military operations and the rejection by all parties of aggressive statements. It is important that the Libyan parties demonstrate calm and restraint. Calls to that end should be made in a balanced manner on all parties to the conflict. In that regard, we learned with optimism about the ceasefire agreement reached among the opposing Libyan parties thanks to the mediation efforts of Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ghassan Salamé. We hope that the ceasefire will last, and we express our support for the efforts of the Special Representative. The problem of the illicit proliferation of weapons in Libya, the flow of which is destabilizing the security situation both in the country and in the Sahara-Sahel region, remains pressing. In that regard, we believe that it is important to refrain from taking steps, including with regard to the arms embargo on Libya, that could hinder the process of establishing dialogue and cooperation among key Libyan political forces. In conclusion, we remain convinced that ascribing guilt to members of the warring Libyan parties is counterproductive. Attempts to selectively attribute responsibility will only fuel passions and make it difficult to resume the political process in Libya.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Poland. At the outset, I would like to thank Ms. Bintou Keita, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, for her briefing on today’s tragic events in Benghazi. First of all, let me express my sincere condolences on the deaths of three staff members of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). In this moment of mourning, our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims and all UNSMIL personnel on the ground. Poland condemns in the strongest terms today’s attack on the UNSMIL vehicle carried out in Benghazi, which resulted in the deaths of three staff members and the injury of at least eight other people. Those responsible for this cowardly act of violence must be held accountable and brought to justice. We very much regret that this heinous terrorist attack took place one day before Eid Al-Adha, at the beginning of the UNSMIL-facilitated truce. It clearly shows that the full and comprehensive cessation of hostilities is of the utmost importance. It also reminds us that United Nations personnel very often pay the ultimate price for their dedication to saving humankind from hell, as Dag Hammarskjöld once said. Therefore, I would like to reiterate Poland’s full support for all efforts undertaken by Special Representative of the Secretary-General Salamé and UNSMIL in very challenging circumstances aimed at bringing security, stability and national unity to Libya. We fully support the press statement proposed by the United Kingdom. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to the representative of Libya.

At the outset, allow me to congratulate you, Madam President, on Poland’s assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. I wish you every success in this endeavour. Let me also thank you for convening this important meeting to discuss the latest developments in my country. I would also like to thank Ms. Bintou Keita, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, for her briefing. We have followed with grief and interest the cowardly terrorist attack on Benghazi today, which killed three staff members of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and injured other personnel, as well as Libyans who were present there. The Government of National Accord strongly condemns such cowardly terrorist attacks. It expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and deplores the fact that UNSMIL personnel and other civilians were injured as a result of that terrorist attack. We wish them a speedy recovery. The Government of National Accord reiterates its commitment to fighting terrorism in all its forms. We stress our continued readiness to fully cooperate with the international community in ending this scourge in line with the agreed regional and international mechanisms. Today’s cowardly attack in Benghazi comes after the abduction two weeks ago of a Member of Parliament, Ms. Siham Sergewa, whose fate is as yet unknown. All this refutes the claims that the so-called Libyan Army has eradicated terrorism in Benghazi and is working towards that end in other areas with a view to cleansing Libya of terrorist groups. The truth is that what is happening is the opposite: the aggression against Tripoli and its outskirts represents a real disaster. This aggression has led to grave human and financial losses, displaced more than 100,000 citizens and caused tremendous damage to the infrastructure, leading to power outages and water shortages, and has exacerbated the humanitarian suffering of our citizens. In response to the initiative of Mr. Ghassan Salamé calling for a truce during holy Eid Al-Adha, as well as the Security Council statement of 12 August 2019 supporting that initiative, the Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord responded and announced that it would be willing to accept the truce provided it includes all areas of fighting; that all direct and indirect shooting stops; that no military advance takes place; that all aviation activities are prohibited from all aerial bases; that such truce is not misused to move soldiers or mobilize powers; and that UNSMIL guarantees the implementation of the truce and monitors any violations thereof. In conclusion, we reaffirm that there can be no military solution to the crisis in Libya. Peaceful political dialogue among Libyans who believe in a civil State is the only way to achieve security and stability in the country. Before I conclude, I wish to congratulate all Muslims on holy Eid Al-Adha.