Security Council Press Statement on Libya
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Liu Jieyi (China):
The members of the Security Council welcomed the arrival in Tripoli of members of the Presidency Council of the Government of National Accord on 30 March 2016, led by Prime Minister Fayez Serraj.
The members of the Security Council noted that this was an important step towards bringing stability to the country and bringing the political process back on track to implement the Libyan Political Agreement signed in Skhirat on 17 December 2015, which was welcomed by Security Council resolution 2259 (2015).
The members of the Security Council encouraged the Presidency Council to immediately begin its work in Tripoli to broaden the basis of its support and to tackle Libya’s political, security, humanitarian, economic and institutional challenges and to confront the rising threat of terrorism, and reiterated its call on all parties in Libya to support efforts in this regard.
The members of the Security Council recalled the meeting of the Libyan Political Dialogue on 10 March 2016, which reaffirmed its commitment to uphold the Libyan Political Agreement, and reiterated their concern about activities which could damage the integrity and unity of Libyan State financial institutions and the National Oil Corporation. They also noted the Presidency Council’s meetings with the Governor of the Central Bank and Tripoli municipalities on 31 March 2016.
The members of the Security Council renewed their call in resolution 2259 (2015) on Member States to cease support to and official contact with parallel institutions that claim to be the legitimate authority, but are outside of the Libyan Political Agreement as specified by it.
The members of the Security Council emphasized the importance of continued inclusiveness of the Libyan Political Agreement and renewed their strong call on all parties in Libya to be part of and to engage constructively with the Agreement in good faith and with sustained political will. The members of the Security Council called on all Libyans to unite in a spirit of reconciliation in implementing the Libyan Political Agreement and to refrain from any action that could undermine this important phase of Libya’s democratic transition.
The members of the Security Council reiterated their grave concern about the growing terrorist threat in Libya, in particular from groups proclaiming allegiance to Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) and groups affiliated with Al-Qaida, and called on the Government of National Accord to urgently focus on combating this threat.
The members of the Security Council reiterated their support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Martin Kobler, and thanked the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) for their continued efforts in this United Nations-facilitated, Libyan-led dialogue process and agreement, and encouraged its future efforts in this regard.
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya.