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 condemned the military escalation in southern Libya including the attack at Brak al-Shati on 18 May, which reportedly resulted in the summary executions of combatants and civilians.
The members of the Security Council welcomed the statement by Prime Minister Sarraj condemning the military escalation and launching an investigation into the attack at Brak al-Shati. The members of the Security Council also noted condemnations of the attack by other Libyan political institutions.
The members of the Security Council also condemned the escalation in violence in Tripoli on 26 May. The members of the Security Council called on all parties in Libya to exercise restraint, reiterated that there can be no military solution and urged all parties to express their support for national reconciliation. The members of the Security Council called for perpetrators of criminal and terrorist acts across Libya to be brought to justice.
The members of the Security Council commended the recent statements made by the Secretary-General and the African Union in this regard. The members of the Security Council recalled relevant Security Council resolutions 2213 (2015), 2259 (2015) and 2278 (2016).
The members of the Security Council welcomed recent efforts to strengthen dialogue between Libyans, supported by Libya’s neighbours and regional organizations, and noted the importance of the United Nations-facilitated, Libyan-led process to advance inclusive political dialogue.
The members of the Security Council called on Libyan stakeholders to expedite their work on the creation of unified state institutions, including unified national security forces under appropriate civilian control, and to combine their efforts to jointly fight terrorism.
The members of the Security Council expressed alarm at the impact which the continued fighting is having on the humanitarian situation and called on all parties to facilitate immediate and sustained access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
The members of the Security Council reiterated their grave concern at the increase in smuggling of migrants in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Libya, deplored the continued resulting tragedies, including on 24 May which resulted in dozens of casualties, and extended their deepest condolences to all those affected and their families.
The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for the work of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the Libyan Political Agreement.