S/PV.9047 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 Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, to participate in this meeting. 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/2022/409, 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 Ms. DiCarlo and Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti, Permanent Representative of India, in his capacity as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya. I now give the floor to Ms. DiCarlo. Ms. DiCarlo: I thank you, Madam President, for the opportunity to brief the Security Council on the latest developments in Libya. Since my most recent briefing to the Security Council in consultations on 19 April, the deadlock on the political, security and economic fronts has persisted, despite the best efforts of the United Nations to facilitate agreement among the Libyan actors. The human rights situation has also deteriorated. We are concerned about the fact that the protracted political impasse is having an increasingly negative impact on security, as shown by the clashes in Tripoli last week. Ms. Stephanie Williams, Special Adviser of the Secretary-General, convened a second round of consultations of the joint committee of the House of Representatives and High State Council in Cairo from 15 to 20 May. The two delegations met in a positive and constructive atmosphere and reviewed the 2017 constitutional draft, reaching agreement on 137 of 197 articles in the areas of the form and nature of the State; basic rights and freedoms, including women’s rights; the structure and powers of a bicameral Parliament; and some of the prerogatives of the President and Prime Minister. The progress achieved during the second round of talks is commendable. The members have agreed to reconvene in Cairo beginning on 11 June under United Nations auspices and hosted by the Government of Egypt. The objective of the third and final round is to reach a consensus on outstanding issues in order to finalize the constitutional arrangements for the holding of national elections at the earliest possible date. In the interim, the delegations have pledged to continue consultations with their respective Chambers. Meanwhile, national and international stakeholders are expressing concern about the continued impasse in the executive. Ms. Williams has continued to engage with Mr. Dbeibah and Mr. Bashagha to encourage dialogue. She is urging them to avoid provocative acts and negative rhetoric in order to ensure that the country does not plunge back into conflict. The Special Adviser has also held meetings with members of the Presidency Council, who expressed their intention to continue working on a national reconciliation process with support from the African Union and the United Nations. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya and the United Nations Development Programme are providing technical expertise on the draft law on national reconciliation and transitional justice. In addition, they are helping with the development of a national online platform to gather civil-society proposals for national reconciliation. While the ceasefire reached in 2020 continues to hold, the security situation remains fragile. In the early hours of 17 May, Mr. Bashagha entered Tripoli, backed by armed groups. Clashes in and around the city with armed groups supporting Mr. Dbeibah ensued, lasting for several hours. The fighting left one armed group member dead, a policeman injured and several buildings damaged. Following mediation by local actors and outreach by the 5+5 Joint Military Commission, Mr. Bashagha was escorted out of Tripoli. While the fighting has ceased, the situation remains tense. Tripoli-based armed groups supporting either Mr. Dbeibah or Mr. Bashagha remain in a state of high alert. On a positive note, I am pleased to report that on 23 and 24 May the eastern and western delegations of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission met for the first time since the eastern delegation suspended its activities at the end of February. The meeting took place in Spain, on the margins of the meeting on disarmament, demobilization and reintegration in Libya hosted by the Spanish Government. Ms. Williams met with the 5+5 Commission, which expressed its readiness to resume its activities upon returning to Libya. As reported during my most recent briefing (see S/PV.8996), the reluctance of the Government of National Unity to pay the Libyan National Army’s salaries for the first quarter of 2022 led elements affiliated with the army to close several oilfields and ports, cutting the country’s daily oil output in half. Following Special Adviser Williams’s intercession with the Government, the outstanding salaries were paid. Oil production, however, has yet to return to normal. On 11 May, Mr. Dbeibah confirmed that he would authorize regular monthly payments for Libyan National Army salaries. We hope that this contentious and recurring issue has now been resolved. Meanwhile, the Economic Working Group of the Berlin process has been crafting a revenue management mechanism to overcome the disagreement over the control and use of public funds. The mechanism would consist of a short-term financing facility to fund the National Oil Corporation and other specific priorities, including salaries, subsidies, essential Government operations and expenditures, which could ease competition for resources and improve accountability. Efforts also continue towards the reunification of the Central Bank of Libya, with the help of independent experts. The Bank’s Governor and Deputy Governor held a third steering committee meeting on the Bank’s reunification and reform in Istanbul on 24 April. They will meet again in September to review progress and activate the Board of Directors. The human rights situation in Libya remains a source of great concern. In the first week of May, Libyan security agencies launched a new wave of arrests of young people for alleged crimes against Libyan culture and values. Security agencies were accused of posting on social media so-called video confessions and photos of those arrested, which was seen as a form of intimidation during the preliminary stages of investigation. Restrictions persist on the work of civil-society organizations, including women’s rights groups, accused of violating “the principles and values of Libyan society”. We remain concerned about the continued detention on those grounds of nine civil-society and social activists who had peacefully exercised their right to freedom of expression. Some of them have been in detention for six months. On 10 May, Special Adviser Williams travelled to Tarhuna, where she visited the sites of mass graves and met with families of victims who disappeared between 2012 and 2020. The perpetrators of those horrific crimes have yet to be brought to justice. The situation of people internally displaced in Libya, including those forcibly evicted, remains highly precarious. To cite just one instance, on 3 May, 477 displaced Tawergha families, totalling more than 2,000 individuals, were forcibly evicted from two camps in Tripoli. The continued campaigns by the authorities of mass arrests and the detention of undocumented foreign nationals and migrants in urban settings in the western region are equally worrying. As of 8 May, 1,717 persons were detained in centres run by the Department for Combating Illegal Migration. Some 5,000 other migrants and refugees are being arbitrarily detained in inhumane conditions in both regular and unofficial detention centres. It is imperative that the ceasefire in Libya be maintained, calm preserved and any steps that could result in renewed violence avoided. We must urge all parties to uphold their commitment to the peaceful resolution of political differences through dialogue and negotiations. It is also critical that Libyan political and security actors look beyond their personal interests and continue to engage constructively in the upcoming Cairo talks in support of the electoral-constitutional track. That is the only way to fulfil the aspirations of the Libyan people to select their representatives through the ballot box. The United Nations will spare no effort to support the Libyan people in in building a noble and peaceful country, including by providing good offices and mediation. The Security Council has been at Libya’s side on its journey out of conflict and towards peace and stability. The path has not always been smooth, but Council support and attention have proved invaluable in keeping a political process alive. Today, a coordinated and constructive effort is required to prevent further polarization and end the political stalemate. At a time of aggravated global turmoil, counsel and international unity on the need for peace in Libya are especially important. It is what Libyans deserve and what the world needs.

I thank Ms. DiCarlo for her briefing. I now give the floor to Ambassador Tirumurti.

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 pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya. The report covers the period from 17 March to 26 May of this year, during which time the Committee met once in informal consultations and conducted additional work by silence procedure. During the informal consultations held on 20 May, the Committee heard a presentation by the Panel of Experts on its final report. I will not summarize the findings and recommendations contained in the report, as it was transmitted to the Security Council on 25 May in accordance with paragraph 13 of resolution 2571 (2021), and will shortly be issued as a document of the Council. In the discussion that ensued, Committee members expressed their support and appreciation for the work of the Panel of Experts. The main issues raised during the discussion included acts that threaten the peace and stability or security of Libya; violations of the arms embargo; violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, including in the context of human trafficking and migrant smuggling; illicit exports of crude oil and refined petroleum products from Libya; and the implementation of the assets freeze. The Committee members are currently considering, for possible follow-up action, the three recommendations addressed to the Committee, as well as the recommendation addressed to all Member States. Let me now touch briefly on the other activities of the Committee during the reporting period. Concerning the arms embargo, no negative decision was taken by the Committee in connection with an arms embargo notification invoking paragraph 13 (b) of resolution 2009 (2011), submitted by Germany. The Committee also received a vessel inspection report from the European Union Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI. The Committee was informed by Italy of the transfer of certain items meant for Libyan coastal patrol. In relation to the assets freeze, the Committee approved an exemption request submitted by Luxembourg under paragraph 19(b) of resolution 1970 (2011). The Committee also received a letter from Libya transmitting a communication from the Libyan Investment Authority, a listed entity, to which the Committee responded. In connection with the measures aimed at preventing illicit exports of petroleum, including crude oil and refined petroleum products from Libya, the Committee responded to a communication received from the Libyan Government focal point appointed pursuant to resolution 2146 (2014) regarding an alleged attempt to illicitly export gasoil outside the umbrella of the National Oil Corporation. The Panel of Experts also reported to the Committee on that matter. With regard to the travel-ban measure, the Committee received a travel notification from Ms. Safia Farkash Al-Barassi, for travel from Egypt to Oman and back, under a travel exemption granted previously for unlimited travel within a six-month period for humanitarian purposes. With respect to the sanctions list, the Committee received a sixth communication from the focal point for delisting established pursuant to resolution 1730 (2006), in connection with the delisting request of a listed individual. The focal point process is still ongoing. I would like to conclude by reiterating the Committee’s commitment to contributing to promoting peace and stability in Libya.

I thank Ambassador Tirumurti for his briefing. I would like to draw the attention of speakers to paragraph 22 of presidential note S/2017/507, which encourages all participants in Council meetings to deliver their statements in five minutes or less, in line with the Security Council’s commitment to making more effective use of open meetings. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

I would like to thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo and Ambassador Tirumurti for their briefings. Recent events in Tripoli make today’s discussions particularly timely. I would therefore like to make three points. First, I echo calls from the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser, Stephanie Williams, and others for calm and de-escalation following the events of 17 May. Our priority should be to protect the progress made since the 2020 ceasefire agreement. Long-term stability will be achieved in Libya only through a refreshed and inclusive political process, including free and fair parliamentary and presidential elections, and the withdrawal of foreign forces and mercenaries, including the Wagner Group. I would like to thank Ms. Williams for her tireless efforts to mediate a basis for elections in Libya. That responsibility now sits with the joint committee of the House of Representatives and the High Council of State. The joint committee must now live up to the hopes and expectations of the Libyan people. Secondly, we call on all Libyan parties to protect the neutrality and integrity of public institutions and support their reunification. The latest closure of oil facilities must end. It is damaging to the Libyan economy and to the Libyan people. The National Oil Corporation should not be politicized and must be able to fulfil its duties without interference. Libyan public institutions should be supported to serve the whole of Libya and all Libyan people. Thirdly, I would like to thank the brave, dedicated women and men who defend human rights in Libya. Accountability for human rights abuses and violations is essential for ending the cycle of impunity. The Human Rights Council Fact-Finding Mission is an important mechanism for identifying violations and abuses. The United Kingdom welcomes Libya’s engagement with the Fact-Finding Mission, and would support the extension of the Mission’s mandate at the next Human Rights Council session to allow the Mission enough time to complete its important work. The United Kingdom continues to support the United Nations-facilitated, Libyan-led and -owned political process. We stand ready to work alongside Libya and our international partners to build a more peaceful, stable and prosperous future for the Libyan people.

It is my honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council (A3), namely, Gabon, Ghana and Kenya. We thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo and Ambassador Tirumurti, Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011), for their briefings. We also welcome the participation of our colleague Ambassador Taher Elsonni, Permanent Representative of Libya. We acknowledge the ongoing efforts by the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General, Ms. Stephanie Williams, in bringing together the joint committee of the House of Representatives and the High State Council in dialogue. We note the positive outcomes of the session, held from 15 to 20 May in Cairo under the auspices of the United Nations. We laud the members of the joint committee for their cooperation and dedication to the talks. That demonstrates the ability of the political class in Libya to opt for dialogue in breaking the current political stalemate. We urge all Libyans to insist on dialogue as the best option for a Libyan-led and -owned peace process. We have noted with concern reports of the mobilization of armed groups in and around Tripoli, as well as sporadic outbreaks of violence. We emphasize that violence cannot deliver peace for Libyans. It will only deliver pain for the vulnerable and a more deeply divided nation. We therefore urge the leadership and people of Libya to exercise restraint, shun violence and seek to resolve their differences by peaceful means. We believe that dialogue and reconciliation will achieve gradual, yet firm and sustainable outcomes, including a constitutional framework that enjoys the widest possible consensus for the delivery of credible elections. It is important to have it mainstreamed in all tracks and stages of the peace process, which must be inclusive of all stakeholders, including women and the youth. It is for that reason that the African Union has committed to supporting an inclusive and comprehensive national reconciliation process, as highlighted in resolution 2510 (2020). We invite all members of the Council to join in strongly embedding such support in the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). We continue to urge fellow members of the Council that we provide UNSMIL with the necessary support for the effective execution of its mandate. That includes starting to genuinely work together to achieve a substantive renewal of the mandate in July. We look forward to the implementation of the provisions of resolution 2629 (2022), including the appointment of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General. In that regard, Africa avails its rich capacity, including the critical appreciation of the impact of the conflict in Libya on the region, for the Secretary-General’s consideration. We believe that a Special Representative of the Secretary-General who has a deep understanding of the security threats of the conflict in Libya to the Sahel and the wider region will reinvigorate United Nations efforts in support of the Libyan peace process. Such a Special Representative of the Secretary-General will also contribute to the necessary safeguard against the spillover of instability into the region and beyond. We condemn the continued foreign interference in Libya, especially as manifested by the continued presence of foreign fighters and mercenaries, as well as rampant undue political influence. The reports of the increased politicization of the oil sector, which is Libya’s economic mainstay, for individual gains in deeply concerning. We demand the protection of the Libyan oil resources for the people of Libya. We also call for the immediate withdrawal of foreign fighters, foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya and the implementation of the comprehensive action plan of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission of October 2021. We remind the Council that all Libya’s frozen assets are to be preserved and eventually returned to, and for the benefit of, the people of Libya. Any actions that affect those assets must be done in consultation with the Libyan authorities. In that regard, the assets freeze should be periodically reviewed to ensure that those assets are protected. We remain deeply concerned over the plight of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Libya. We are saddened by the number of people who died trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe and those intercepted and returned to Libyan ports, only to be detained and made to suffer more. We condemn that inhumane treatment and call on all involved to desist from it. We also call on those who allocate resources to migration in Libya, including for the establishment of holding areas, to demand strict adherence to human rights and accountability. With respect to our brothers and sisters from Libya, only they fully understand the cost of this unnecessarily protracted conflict. We therefore urge them to be inspired by their shared nationhood to engage in dialogue and reconciliation in building back. Gabon, Ghana and Kenya — and Africa as a whole — recommit to standing with them in this regard. In conclusion, we reaffirm our unreserved support for a truly Libyan-led and Libyan-owned peace process. We also reaffirm our respect for Libya’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

I thank our briefers, Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo, and my colleague, Ambassador Tirumurti, for their briefings. I would also like to welcome our Libyan colleague and friend, Ambassador Elsonni. The situation on the ground in Libya is becoming increasingly precarious. Recent armed confrontations in Tripoli are deeply troubling, and we call on all actors to exercise restraint, refrain from escalation and ensure the protection of civilians. In this context, we welcome the second round of talks by the joint committee in Cairo last week. We look forward to the next round on 11 June. These meetings represent, we hope, the genuine desire of both sides to advance a Libyan-led and Libyan–owned political process under United Nations auspices. We welcome what Under-Secretary- General DiCarlo described just now as a positive and constructive atmosphere. The ultimate goal of this process remains reaching agreement to deliver credible, transparent and inclusive elections to the 2.8 million Libyans who registered to vote last December. We fully support Special Adviser Williams for her tireless efforts aimed at reaching this point. We strongly urge all parties to heed the calls from Libyan civil society and the international community to ensure the full, meaningful and safe political participation of women in the process and the inclusion of youth. We are concerned at the backlash that activists who are promoting women’s participation are having to face. Recent events demonstrate the perpetual and dangerous influence of armed groups on Libya’s security landscape. It is crucial that the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) continue its important work in unifying the security sector, as an example of successful east-west cooperation that had previously been free of politicization. Efforts should continue towards the full withdrawal of foreign forces, fighters and mercenaries from Libya, and this should be done in close consultation with Libya’s neighbours and in line with the JMC’s action plan, and resolutions 2570 (2021) and 2571 (2021). This should also be coupled with a United Nations-supervised, gender-responsive disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process. We were deeply disturbed by images and testimony from Tarhouna, which was visited by the Special Adviser earlier this month, where mass killings and large-scale atrocities were perpetrated. We welcome efforts by the Libyan authorities to investigate these incidents and encourage them to cooperate with the International Criminal Court’s own investigation in this regard. We want to extend our deepest sympathies to the survivors, victims and their loved ones, as they continue in their pursuit of justice and accountability, without which true national reconciliation will remain elusive. Reports of deaths in custody, torture, starvation, sexual violence and extortion in detention centres, including at the Al-Mayah detention centre in Tripoli, are deplorable. It is crucial that the Libyan authorities ensure full humanitarian access to these centres. However, the ultimate priority should be to release those arbitrarily detained. In an environment where it can be difficult or dangerous for survivors to offer testimony, the Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Libya plays a key investigative role. We fully support its renewal next month. Following the adoption of resolution 2629 (2022) in April, implementation of the strategic review of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya can finally begin. The Mission has our full support, and we hope for the timely appointment of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General. I will conclude by conveying our strong support to the European Union Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI, which includes Irish Defence Forces personnel, and which has effectively contributed to the implementation of the United Nations arms embargo on Libya for the past two years. We look forward to, and call for, the timely renewal of resolution 2578 (2021) next month, and fully support France in its efforts as penholder.

I thank Under- Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo for her briefing. I also thank Ambassador Tirumurti for his briefing on the work of the Security Council Committee established pursuit to resolution 1970 (2011). We welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Libya at this meeting. We take note of the new round of negotiations in Cairo to overcome the political impasse in Libya. We hope that the Libyan political forces will reach an agreement on the constitutional framework that will make it possible to set new dates for the presidential and legislative elections. Completion of the transition period is a condition for the success of the national reconciliation. Brazil understands that civil society has an important role to play in this process and therefore urges the Libyan authorities to reconsider the restrictions imposed by the Civil Society Commission. Reports of arbitrary arrests of activists and opinion makers are extremely concerning at a time when Libya is engaged in the construction of a democratic constitutional framework. There are also concerns about the threat of deterioration in security conditions. We commend Libyan stakeholders for their commitment to preserving the ceasefire. However, we know that the political impasse and the continuation of serious human rights violations place additional pressure on an extremely fragile stability. The recent visit by Special Adviser Stephanie Williams to Tarhouna highlights the importance the United Nations attaches to the investigation of crimes perpetrated by individuals and groups opposed to reconciliation. It is necessary to ensure that those involved in violations and abuses are held accountable for their actions with transparency and in accordance with due process of law. The report of the Secretary-General (S/2022/409) shows that the situation of migrants and refugees remains precarious. Reports continue to circulate about deaths, arbitrary and clandestine prisons, disappearances, torture and sexual violence against vulnerable individuals and families. Brazil appreciates the work carried out by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya in documenting cases, and we reiterate our appeal to the Libyan authorities to redouble their efforts aimed at preventing such abuses from recurring.

We are grateful to the Under-Secretary- General, Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, and the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011), Mr. T.S. Tirumurti, for their briefings. We are increasingly worried about the developments in Libya, especially in the light of recent events. With great regret, we note that the political process in the country is once again close to a dead end. In fact, what we are seeing in Libya is two competing Governments, in which the new Prime Minister Bashagha, who was elected by the parliament in February, formed a Government of a National Stability, which he has been fighting to have recognized as legitimate for two months. In this context, we are extremely concerned about reports about recent armed clashes in Tripoli that coincided with the Prime Minister’s arrival. Once again, we would like to point out that the use of force to resolve disputes is unacceptable, especially in today’s complex situation. As far as we can tell, attempts to reset the political process have had mixed results. A number of initiative meetings have not led to any meaningful outcomes. Nevertheless, we welcome the positive steps during the meeting between the delegation of the House of Representatives and the High Council of State in Cairo at the end of May, during which it was possible to reach a preliminary compromise on a number of issues in relation to legislation that would form the basis for future elections. We note with satisfaction that the Libyans managed to overcome the recent impasse on the military aspect of the peace process, and the meeting of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission in Toledo, Spain is proof of that. We call on the Libyan people once again not to let that initiative slip through their fingers in that delicate area, as that could lead to an escalation of military conflict and a repeat of the sad scenario of 2019. On the issue of the evacuation of foreign forces from Libya, our approach remains unchanged. We continue to consistently advocate for the simultaneous, gradual and balanced withdrawal of all non-Libyan armed groups and military units. Failing that, we see serious risks of upending the fragile balance in Libya. Overall, we hope that the Libyan people will be able to independently overcome the difficulties facing them on the basis of an inclusive dialogue, without any heavy-handed external assistance. We are convinced that given the new realities in Libya, the role of the United Nations has become even more important. However, for a long time now, owing to the absence of an appointed Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) entrusted with a Security Council mandate, that role is not being fulfilled. After Jan Kubiš’s resignation, in November 2021, at a pivotal stage of the Libyan peace process, UNSMIL was left without de facto leadership. Now, as we see it, it is clear to everyone that the configuration of the United Nations presence in its current form does not meet the necessary requirements. I think that we can all agree that the uncertain status in which the Secretary-General’s envoys have had to operate on the Libyan dossier has lasted far too long and has begun to have a negative impact. In that connection, we are in favour of the early appointment of a new Head of the Mission, and, in the process of selecting such a candidate, we deem it vital to secure the consent of the Libyan people themselves, regional players and the members of the Security Council.

I, too, would like to thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for her remarks and valuable insights at this critical time for Libya. I also thank the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya, Ambassador Tirumurti, for the updates, and we welcome the participation of Ambassador Elsonni in this meeting. After more than a decade of conflict, the situation in Libya remains uncertain. A legitimacy crisis affecting all its institutions is being worsened by divisions, political rivalry, the emergence of parallel governments and the presence of foreign fighters and mercenaries. Natural resources remain contested instead of benefiting the entire Libyan population. The urgent stabilization of Libya is of strategic importance not only for its people but also for the wider region. We must explore every possibility in order to overcome the current political impasse. The dispute over control of the executive threatens to trigger instability and violence on the ground, as we recently saw in Tripoli. We concur with the Secretary-General in his assessment that a clear, consensual path to elections is now more than ever a political necessity. It is now time for Libyan stakeholders and the international community to redouble their support for the mediation efforts of the United Nations. The talks in Cairo between the House of Representatives and the High State Council, mediated by Special Adviser Stephanie Williams, have shown signs of encouraging progress towards a constitutional basis for the elections. That constitutes a very promising basis for an agreement. It is what Libya needs. It is what we expect. A consensual constitutional basis and the establishment of an electoral horizon could be crucial to resolving the tensions surrounding the executive as well. That momentum should be maintained during the third round in June in order to prepare for and hold free, fair, credible and inclusive elections. We call on all Libyan stakeholders, including the leadership of both the House of Representatives and the High State Council, to cooperate fully and in good faith with Special Adviser Williams. We commend Special Adviser Williams for her mediation efforts as well as the United Nations Support Mission in Libya for its role in supporting accountability efforts. Justice is paramount for sustained peace. Progress on the political track is necessary and urgent to reduce volatility, which has engendered a stalemate also on the military track. While the ceasefire has been maintained and all Libyan actors reiterate their rejection of conflict, many of the achievements of the military dialogue and of the work of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission are now in question. Therefore, no progress can be envisaged in the context of the withdrawal of foreign fighters and mercenaries. That volatile and perilous situation affects every aspect of life. We remain very worried by the continuing increase in restrictions on civil society in Libya. That reduces civic space and undermines the meaningful participation of all stakeholders in the country’s political process and public life, especially women. Every attempt to control civil-society organizations and limit their space for international cooperation is regrettable and should cease. Furthermore, the political stalemate is depriving the Libyan people of access to their national resources, jeopardizing their economy and investments in critical infrastructure and even the provision of basic services, and undermining the socioeconomic rights of the population. That is unacceptable and most unfortunate in a country of just 7 million citizens that is richly endowed with natural resources. It is crucial that the National Oil Corporation remain neutral vis-à-vis the political impasse and that the production of hydrocarbons not be held hostage to political infighting. Those resources, which are now fuelling and exacerbating divisions among local stakeholders, must be redirected to the socioeconomic development of the country and for the benefit of all the Libyan people. Let me conclude by stating that European Union Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI has made an important contribution to ensuring respect for the United Nations arms embargo within the overall efforts to find a solution to the Libyan crisis. For that reason, Albania fully supports the renewal of the mandate and of Operation IRINI.

I thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for her briefing and the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya for their statements. I also welcome the presence of the Permanent Representative of Libya at this meeting. The uncertainty of the Libyan political process continues to grow. The differences between the parties on important issues such as the legitimacy of the Government remain difficult to resolve, and clashes have broken out in Tripoli, which is of deep concern to China. We call on all parties in Libya to put the interests of the country and the people first, remain committed to the general direction of the political settlement, exercise maximum restraint, refrain from taking any action that may escalate tensions and maintain the hard-won peace and stability. Dialogue and consultations represent the only solution that can break the political impasse in Libya. The Libyan General National Congress and the High State Council recently held the second round of the dialogue in Cairo and reached a partial consensus on the basis of the Constitution, which China commends. The transitional phase envisaged by the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum is coming to an end. All parties in Libya should maintain the momentum of dialogue in order to reach a comprehensive consensus on important issues such as the constitutional basis and the election timetable as soon as possible and create the conditions necessary for holding elections and completing the political transition. In the long run, the international community, and the Security Council in particular, should support the parties in Libya in advancing national reconciliation and resolving the deep-seated imbalances caused by years of turmoil, so as to lay a solid foundation for Libya to achieve long-term stability. China encourages regional organizations such as the African Union and the League of Arab States to play an active role to that end. Under the current circumstances, it is essential that the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) resume implementation of its full mandate. China reiterates its support for the Secretary-General, in line with resolution 2629 (2022), appointing, as soon as possible, an African candidate as the Special Representative for Libya. External interference has been a major factor in the long-standing issue of Libya. The international community should remain committed to the principle of Libyan leadership and ownership and provide constructive assistance while refraining from imposing external solutions. The ceasefire agreement is the cornerstone of maintaining security and stability in Libya and the region. The 5+5 Joint Military Commission plays an important role in implementing the ceasefire agreement and facilitating the withdrawal of foreign armed forces and mercenaries. The Commission’s resumption of its full duties as soon as possible will help all parties to maintain coordination and communication and prevent any misunderstandings or miscalculations. China supports the deployment of the UNSMIL ceasefire monitoring team to Sirte as soon as possible. Oil is Libya’s main source of national income. China has noted some recent developments in Libya’s oil production and encourages all parties concerned to resolve their differences in the areas of oil revenue, management and distribution through dialogue and consultations; restore a stable oil production as soon as possible; and create conditions favourable to the normal functioning of the Libyan Government, public-service delivery and the advancement of the political process. In the current geopolitical context, that will also help to stabilize international crude-oil market prices.

I thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo and Ambassador Tirumurti for their comprehensive briefings. I also welcome the participation of Ambassador Taher Elsonni in today’s meeting. The future of the political process in Libya remains unclear and is threatened by the rivalry for power and the potential for renewed clashes between armed groups, especially in the capital of Tripoli. Nevertheless, despite the current differences between them, we are encouraged by the efforts of the Libyan parties to defuse tensions and avoid falling into a spiral of violence, giving the intra-Libyan dialogue a chance to move forward. Their efforts deserve the support of the international community at this critical juncture. We also stress the need to conclude all the transition phases, with a view to realizing the aspirations of the Libyan people through the holding of free, fair, inclusive and credible presidential and parliamentary elections, while adhering to the timeline that they agreed to. In that regard, we welcome all good offices and initiatives aimed at achieving those goals and resolving the crisis in Libya. We also welcome the understanding reached by the Libyan parties in Cairo during the consultations on the constitutional path. We appreciate Egypt’s role in that regard and hope that a similar agreement among the relevant Libyan parties will be reached on the remaining issues during the next meeting in June. We also stress the importance of including women and young people at every step of the State-building process in Libya. We must not lose sight of the importance of focusing on achieving comprehensive national reconciliation and initiating genuine dialogue that includes all segments of Libyan society. That will support confidence-building among all the parties and political actors in Libya, preserve the unity and the interests of the Libyan State and promote peaceful coexistence among its citizens. If sustainable peace is to be achieved, the 5+5 Joint Military Commission must maintain its impartiality. We also call on the Commission to resume its meetings, with a view to safeguarding the security and military gains that have already been achieved, particularly with regard to combating extremism, terrorism, border infiltration and smuggling. For the process of State-building to continue, all of Libya’s vital institutions must be united and distanced from disputes. They must be independent and allowed to carry out their work despite the current political situation and turmoil. We emphasize that those institutions belong to the Libyan people, and that it is important to preserve Libya’s resources and wealth and to manage them fairly, transparently and equitably. In conjunction with that, it is also important to step up efforts to establish the rule of law throughout Libya and maintain its security and stability. That will also help to address the issue of migration in Libya and the wider African region, which requires the international community to support countries of origin and transit while addressing the root causes of migration. With regard to the work of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, we look forward to its reconfiguration in accordance with the recommendations of the independent strategic review (S/2021/716, annex). We also look forward to seeing the Mission led by a Special Representative of the Secretary-General, based in Tripoli, and to seeing the Secretary-General appoint such a Special Representative expeditiously, in line with resolution 2629 (2022). In conclusion, my country reaffirms its commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya. We hope that efforts will be stepped up to achieve a national consensus and overcome the current political impasse.

I thank the Under-Secretary-General and the Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya for their briefings. I welcome the presence of the Permanent Representative of Libya. Maintaining the status quo is not an option for Libya, and we need to resolve the crisis involving the executive authority urgently. France calls on Libyan stakeholders to engage in genuine dialogue aimed at reaching a viable political solution without delay. It will be vital to form a united and inclusive Government capable of governing throughout the country if presidential and parliamentary elections are to be held and secured throughout Libya as soon as possible, in accordance with the appeals of the Secretary-General, the relevant Security Council resolutions and, above all, the expectations of the Libyan people. The postponement of the elections six months ago has resulted in a period of uncertainty that undermines our efforts to restore a united, stable and sovereign Libya. France fully supports mediation by the United Nations in establishing the constitutional basis for holding elections. Dialogue among all the Libyan parties, including but not limited to the two Chambers, is crucial to establishing a new road map for holding elections and is needed to reduce tensions as well as make progress on a constitutional foundation. We therefore encourage the United Nations to continue its efforts in that regard. The security gains that have been made must also be protected from the political deadlock. France calls on all Libyan actors to refrain from acts of violence, incitements to hatred and provocations and to uphold the ceasefire. To that end, France will continue to support the Libyan 5+5 Joint Military Commission, which has demonstrated its determination to implement all the provisions of the ceasefire agreement, including the gradual and progressive withdrawal of all mercenaries, foreign fighters and foreign forces, as set out in its action plan. That is as essential to restoring Libyan sovereignty as the implementation of a disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process. France stands ready to work to that end together with the Libyans, the countries of the region and the regional organizations concerned. It is also incumbent on all Member States to ensure that the arms embargo is observed. The European Union Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI represents a unique instrument for implementing it. France thanks Libya for its cooperation and calls on Council members to facilitate renewing the authorization for IRINI’s operations by 3 June. France remains concerned about the continuing oil blockade. We are following with interest the recommendations for a freeze on oil revenues and the establishment of a mechanism for their transparent and equitable management. It should be accepted by all Libyan stakeholders and, if necessary, should enable the blockade of wells to be lifted rapidly. France also recalls the efforts of the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General to achieve genuine unification of the Central Bank of Libya, which has yet to be realized. France remains concerned about the increase in human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law, particularly against refugees, migrants, human rights defenders in particular, and women. France would like to emphasize the importance of extending the mandate of the Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Libya in June and of the cooperation of all parties with the International Criminal Court. The fight against impunity is essential to guaranteeing lasting peace. The Council’s priority today must be to preserve the political and security gains made in the past few years and to relaunch an electoral process without further delay, because that is essential to ensuring lasting stability in Libya. I call on all Council members to rise to the challenges confronting the establishment of peace and security in Libya and throughout the region.

At the outset, I would like to thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for her briefing today. I also welcome the presence of the Permanent Representative of Libya. The challenges that Libya is facing came into sharp focus earlier this month with the reports of clashes outside Tripoli. It is imperative that the parties concerned resolve all outstanding political issues peacefully, keeping the larger interests of the Libyan people in mind. We hope that all the parties will work together to maintain peace and stability in the country. In that regard, we once again reiterate the importance of holding the presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible, as that will be critical to carrying forward the momentum generated by the signing of the ceasefire agreement. The priority right now is to ensure that elections are held without delay in a free, fair, inclusive and credible manner. We hope that all parties in Libya can unite around that common purpose. We note that positive movement has been achieved in several areas by the Joint Committee of the House of Representatives and the High Council of State, and we look forward to seeing the Libyan parties arrive at a consensus soon on the constitutional basis for holding the elections. It is important that the Security Council and the international community support the Libyan people as they prepare for the elections. Violence in any form could undermine the progress achieved since 2020 and should be strongly discouraged. The sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Libya needs to be safeguarded. The political process must be fully Libyan-led and Libyan-owned with no conditions imposed or external interference. It is also important to see concrete progress on the full and complete withdrawal of foreign forces and mercenaries. It is regrettable that more than a year and a half after the signing of the ceasefire agreement, we have yet to see tangible progress in that regard. The continued presence of foreign forces and mercenaries is detrimental to the peace and stability of the country and the region. In that context, I also want to stress the importance of planning for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of armed groups and non-State armed actors. Libya also needs an inclusive and comprehensive national reconciliation process. It is important for the international community to direct its attention to the threat of terrorism in Africa, particularly in the Sahel region. Recent reports of the Secretary-General have highlighted the presence in southern Libya of training camps belonging to Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and its affiliates. ISIL’s continuing ability to launch attacks is deeply concerning. The Council should be focusing on eliminating every threat posed by ISIL and other terror groups anywhere in the world. Terrorism is a growing threat to Africa, and it is important for the Council to focus on it before it is too late. India has traditionally enjoyed close and mutually beneficial bilateral ties with Libya, and we remain committed to supporting Libya and the Libyan people in their endeavour to bring about lasting peace in their country.

I thank Under-Secretary- General DiCarlo and Ambassador Tirumurti for their briefings. We also welcome our Libyan colleague to today’s meeting. We would like to commend the work of Ms. Stephanie Williams, the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General, and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya in convening the Joint Committee of the House of Representatives and the High Council of State earlier this month in Cairo. The United Nations plays a critical role in assisting the Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process, and particularly in bringing the parties together to discuss the much- needed constitutional arrangements. Let me also thank Egypt for hosting the parties. We further commend the Joint Committee for reaching an initial consensus on 137 articles in last week’s round of talks. That is an encouraging sign of progress, and we urge the parties to build on the consensus in order to reach agreement on the remaining articles when they meet again in June. We trust that they will live up to their responsibilities and provide a firm constitutional framework that can enable the holding of inclusive national elections as soon as possible. As we all know, there are 2.8 million Libyans who have registered to vote and expect timely and safe elections. The only viable path to legitimate political leadership is to allow the Libyan people to choose their leaders. Attempts to seize or hold on to political power through violence will only hurt the people of Libya. We call on all the parties to exercise maximum restraint, refrain from provocative actions and rhetoric and ensure the protection of civilians, which are critical to avoiding a new escalation of violence. We are pleased to see that the ceasefire is still holding, and we commend the work of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission in that regard. However, as we underlined at the previous briefing (see S/PV.8996), it is very important that the Commission’s essential work continue and not be obstructed by the ongoing political tension. It has made great progress in preserving stability and improving the daily lives of the Libyan people. We also welcome the Commission’s recent meeting with Special Adviser Williams on the margins of the workshop on disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) in Spain and applaud the renewed commitment to an inclusive, rights-based DDR process. We encourage further cooperation with neighbouring countries and the African Union in that regard. The disruption of oil production must also be avoided. Libyan natural resources are important to the global energy supply at a time of increasing demand. More importantly, they are a source of income for the Libyan people that is essential to improving public services and securing reliable funding for the nation’s priority needs. The oil sector must not be politicized, and the ongoing oil blockade must be lifted, thereby enabling full oil production and export. Finally, we remain gravely concerned about the reported arrest and detention of members of civil society, human rights organizations and international non-governmental institutions. We are also alarmed by the violence and harassment targeting women activists and officials. I want to underline that it is the duty of States to respect, protect and fulfil their human rights obligations, including by ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable.

I thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo and Ambassador Tirumurti for their briefings. Mexico welcomes the progress made in Cairo during the latest round of talks facilitated by Ms. Stephanie Williams between the High Council of State and the House of Representatives. We are aware, however, that it has not yet been possible to reach agreement on fundamental issues related to the reactivation of the electoral process, such as the eligibility criteria for candidates and the sequence of legislative and presidential elections. It is worrying that with less than a month to go before the end of the transitional period envisaged by the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum, there is no clarity on the course of action to be taken to preserve the political process. In the circumstances, the existence of two Governments claiming to control the country poses a threat to the stability of Libya and the region as a whole, a threat that the Council must take seriously. The experience of recent years has shown that any political arrangement leading to the formation of a Government without the endorsement of the popular vote will be limited by questions surrounding its legitimacy. The irregularities in decision-making in the House of Representatives, as reflected in the Secretary- General’s report (S/2022/409), also mean that this space for popular representation has so far failed to offer a viable alternative. The Council must therefore use all the instruments at its disposal to meet the expectations of the almost 3 million Libyans who registered to vote last December. Mexico believes it urgent, as a first step, that the Secretary-General appoint his Special Representative to head the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and take an active role in seeking a way out of the current political impasse. We regret that the prolonged lack of stable UNSMIL leadership is hampering the implementation of the recommendations of the independent strategic review. On the security front, the recent armed clashes in Tripoli remind us that an escalation of the conflict can occur at any time. It is therefore essential that the 5+5 Joint Military Commission fully resume its functions and make progress on the outstanding tasks, particularly the implementation of the plan for the withdrawal of mercenaries and foreign fighters and the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme. The current instability has allowed armed groups of all affiliations to continue to abuse migrants and asylum seekers with impunity, intimidate activists and limit the civic space with detrimental consequences for the participation of women and young people. My country, Mexico, urges the authorities to prioritize accountability for human rights violations and abuses in order to break the cycle of impunity and end the suffering of civilians.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the United States of America. Let me start by thanking Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for her informative, timely briefing today. I also thank Ambassador Tirumurti for updating the Security Council on the developments of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011), concerning Libya. I welcome the Permanent Representative of Libya to our deliberations today. Yet again, we meet to discuss the situation in Libya, and, yet again, we heard that the Libyan people are still being robbed of the peace, stability and democracy for which they long. Violence continues unabated. Just days ago, as Council members already heard, on 17 May, we saw clashes between rival militias in the streets of Tripoli. Over and over, we see reports that weapons and foreign fighters are still flowing into the country, fuelling violence and violating resolution 1970 (2011). The United States urges all armed groups to cease fighting and to work to preserve the 2020 ceasefire and the goals of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission. Today I also want to call attention to the deeply troubling trend of Libyan leaders courting violent extremists and using restrictive laws to crack down on civil society activists, silence critics and shore up power. That is not what a free, fair and open Libya looks like. We are pleased to hear of the progress towards agreeing to a constitutional basis for presidential and parliamentary elections, and we welcome the plan to reconvene again in June. But how many more months will we wait until Libya holds the election for which more than 3 million people registered? The delays and roadblocks must end. We appreciate the work of the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser, Ms. Stephanie Williams, and of delegates from the House of Representatives and the High State Council, who met in Cairo last week to move us towards political consensus. But let me be 100 per cent clear: those who obstruct or undermine a successful political transition in Libya may face sanctions. Libya is at a critical juncture. Its leaders can choose to move boldly towards a unified Libya with a Government that strives to meet the needs of its people and protects human rights, including for the many migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Libya, or they can choose to backslide into disunity, instability, halted development and the possibility of further violent conflict. There is still an opportunity to rekindle the spirit of political unity that led to the ceasefire and the establishment of an electoral road map. But that window of opportunity is shrinking with each passing day and month. It is time for Libya’s leaders to do right by its people. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I would like to again draw the attention of speakers to paragraph 22 of presidential note S/2017/507, which encourages all participants in Council meetings to deliver their statements in five minutes or less, in line with the Security Council’s commitment to making more effective use of open meetings. I give the floor to the representative of Libya.

At the outset, I congratulate you, Madam President, on the United States presidency of the Security Council this month. I wish you every success. I also thank Ms. DiCarlo and Mr. Tirumurti for their briefings. We have delivered scores of statements before the Security Council, and we heard many statements. We have the impression that we just keep repeating ourselves. The Libyan people have had enough of hearing the same speeches. It would seem that we are in a vicious circle. Today I wish to speak directly to Member States while trying to convey the messages of Libyan citizens, who have had enough of following all these meetings, which do not produce any tangible outcome. Moreover, I wish this time to convey the voices of the Libyan people, whatever their affiliation — whether they support the old regime, the February regime, or whether they are of any other affiliation. I will attempt to convey the views of simple Libyan citizens who wonder as to what will happen next. I therefore ask those present to listen to me with full attention. Today’s briefing comes amid difficult challenges and serious crossroads. Libyan citizens are aware that what is happening today is the result of several crises that have been accumulating since 2011. After many Libyan people took to the streets calling for change, the Security Council decided to intervene, raising the slogan of protecting civilians and supporting the democratic process. We therefore thought that that was the fundamental objective of the intervention, but the involvement quickly led to chaos, a proxy war and the proliferation of weapons and militias throughout the country, in addition to terrorism and imposing solutions and agendas. Our dream for change has therefore become a nightmare of division and destruction. My country is now in an endless spiral of conflict, while the Council has been completely unable to act. That is unfortunately the view of the majority of Libyan citizens. It is therefore incumbent on all Council members to shoulder their moral responsibilities in terms of what is happening in my country. It is up to the Council to take things seriously this time. With regard to the political situation, Libya has seen successive developments in recent years. Many initiatives and conferences took place with various political agreements, starting with the Skhirat Agreement and the Paris and Palermo Conferences. There was also the Berlin Conference, in addition to the Tunisia and Geneva talks. All of those led to a road map, which the Security Council endorsed by adopting relevant resolutions. There has been also an attempt to complete the transition phase and establish a constitutional basis, which will finally allow us to organize elections. What happened? Why did all that fail? That is what Libyan citizens are asking. In reality, the Security Council has failed to implement its resolutions and could not make obstructing States or individuals accountable. The Council simply settled for expressing its concern and condemning the situation. For that reason, Libyan citizens no longer have any faith in the Security Council or in the international community. And neither do they have faith in any new initiatives and proposals being put forward by the international community. They are against all the solutions being offered, which do not meet the expectations of the Libyan people and instead meet the interests of the sponsoring States. That is why Libyans ask: What is the benefit of international dialogues or United Nations resolutions if obstructers are not made accountable? What did the Security Council do when the elections were not held on 25 December 2021? What happened afterwards? Nothing happened. Council members’ statements all referred to 25 December, to the point we felt that it is a sacred day. The Council was divided on many occasions, the latest of which was its inability to extend the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya and appointing a new envoy. Instead, the Secretary-General had to appoint a consultant to manage issues. When it comes to appointing a new envoy, I remind the Council that the next envoy will be the ninth in 11 years. That leads us to ask whether the problem is really a problem of special envoys or whether it is a problem with the strategy put in place by the United Nations Mission and the various bodies. That is a question being asked by Libyan citizens. We are facing another dilemma that Libyan citizens cannot really understand. On the one hand, the Council calls for compliance with Security Council resolutions, international agreements, dialogues and road maps, while, on the other hand, it calls for respect for a genuine Libyan-led and Libyan-owned solution. There is a kind of contradiction between the two appeals. Libyan citizens and political leaders are confused. Libyans hope for a Libyan consensus in order to end this vicious cycle. We also hope that the dialogue under way in Cairo between the House of Representatives and the High State Council will be successful and reach a constitutional agreement that will lead to elections. However, the same questions arise. Where will things stand if the Cairo talks fail? Where will things stand if those talks succeed? What will be the Security Council’s position against the obstructers if the Cairo talks reach a partial agreement without taking into consideration active political actors? Those are the questions being asked by the Libyan people, who are hoping that the Security Council will be able to answer them. Libyan citizens do not care for provisions of laws. What really matters to them is stability and safety. They do not care about the details. Pertaining to the security situation, Libyan citizens see the day-to-day deterioration of security because of instability in their country. No just political solution has been found for the crisis to date. Unfortunately, the 5+5 Joint Military Commission is faltering. Libyan citizens were once optimistic about the Commission being able to unify the military institution and ensure the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Libya. That was necessary for putting an end to non-State armed groups in Libya, which every honest Libyan citizen was asking for. Nevertheless, we are happy with the results of the meetings that were held recently in Spain ,where the issue of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of fighters was discussed. We hope that issue will not be politicized. Also with regard to the security situation, we have seen a resurgence of actions by terrorist groups, such as Da’esh and Al-Qaida, especially in the south of Libya, where numerous military patrols and civilians have been attacked. The number of weapons is also growing, and abductions, killings and clashes among armed groups continue to increase, as has happened in the western part of Libya. Silencing the Libyan people continues in many parts of Libya without. The crisis concerning illegal migrants has continued, while cases of cross-border human trafficking are growing. In that regard, we repeat that Libya is a victim and cannot be responsible for this issue. According to reports, there are 650,000 migrants in Libya; but migration centres hold no more than 4,000 migrants. What has happened to the rest? The Council needs to shoulder its responsibility in that regard. Libyan citizens ask: Why do we not hear about sanctions against international human traffickers in origin, transit and destination countries? If Libya represents the gates of hell for migrants as a result of human trafficking, then members of the Council need to open the doors to heaven for migrants in their countries. Undoubtedly, stability in Libya will resolve this problem, and it is therefore important to address all these issues comprehensively. With regard to the economic and basic service situation, the Libyan economic situation is currently facing major challenges because of the absence of comprehensive political solutions. State institutions are divided. The central administration, ports and oil wells are often closed. There is no social justice, equitable distribution of wealth or development opportunities — to say nothing of the current international crisis, which has a direct impact on the local economy and food security in Libya. In addition, we are witnessing a deterioration of basic services and the health sector, particularly in the south of the country. The situation of the displaced people and migrants is deteriorating. Libyan citizens are tired and have lost faith in everybody. All of that is the result of a political void and division. In conclusion, I ask the usual question. What is the solution for all those challenges? First of all, we need to put an end to interference in Libya’s domestic affairs. There should be respect for a Libyan-owned and Libyan led solution. The solution is to listen and respond to the nearly 3 million voters who had hoped for the holding the elections and clearly demonstrated their position. The majority of the Libyan people want to resolve all of the accumulated political problems. They want State legitimacy to be revived. And they want to choose their leaders and representatives themselves. They want a strong and unified Libyan Government that controls all Libyan territory. The solution is to hold constitutional general elections as soon as possible. Libyans want free and fair elections that rely on an equitable and robust constitutional basis, with broad political participation that ensures national consensus. That is the solution that the Libyan people are calling for. That is why we are asking the Security Council to bolster the Libyan people’s will and correct the mistakes of the past. We thank the many States that have changed position and understood that the cycle of conflict cannot go on forever. Dialogue and peace are the only way to ensure stability and security in the region. Libyan citizens call on influential actors in Libya to heed the voice of wisdom and abandon war and conflict. Concessions should be made for the sake of the country. It is not acceptable anymore to kill more people in a senseless war that only brings destruction with it. Accordingly, we once again thank all political leaders for their national positions on not allowing the waging of a new war for the sake of power. It is time to forget the painful divisions of the past and work together to establish a national pact and genuine reconciliation. In that regard, as we celebrate Africa Day, we repeat our call for supporting the efforts of the African Union and the Presidency Council to ensure comprehensive national reconciliation that unites all of us and makes us stronger. Despite all of the challenges I have outlined, I can assure the Council that we remain optimistic. Libyan citizens, in particular the younger generation — men and women — have become more mature and increasingly aware. We are confident that, through our national efforts, we will overcome this crisis, move towards reconciliation and make progress, notwithstanding the challenges before us, towards building our institutions and achieving stability and prosperity.