Security Council Press Statement on Libya
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Elbio Rosselli (Uruguay):
The members of the Security Council strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a security training centre in Zliten, Libya, on 7 January 2016, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries.
The members of the Security Council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims of this heinous act and wished a swift recovery to those injured.
The members of the Security Council also condemned the recent attacks on Libya’s oil infrastructure by a group that has claimed allegiance to Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/also known as Da’esh).
The members of the Security Council recalled resolution 2259 (2015) and urged all parties in Libya to join efforts to combat the threat posed by transnational terrorist groups exploiting Libya for their own agenda, by urgently implementing the Libyan Political Agreement and by working swiftly towards the formation of the Government of National Accord that will work for the benefit of all Libyans and the finalization of interim security arrangements necessary for stabilizing Libya.
The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice. The members of the Security Council stressed that those responsible for these killings should be held accountable, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard.
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed grave concern about ISIL, groups that have pledged allegiance to ISIL, which includes foreign terrorist fighters who are in Libya, and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with ISIL and Al-Qaida operating in Libya, and the negative impact of their presence, violent extremist ideology and actions on the stability of Libya, neighbouring countries and the region, including the devastating humanitarian impact on the civilian populations.
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.
The members of the Security Council reminded States that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.
The members of the Security Council stressed the need to take measures to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism, terrorist organizations and individual terrorists in accordance with resolutions 2199 (2015) and 2253 (2015).
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya.