Security Council Extends Mandate of United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2376 (2017)

Political Stability Must Be UNSMIL’s ‘Overarching Goal’, Says Permanent Representative, Stressing Importance of National Ownership Concept

The Security Council decided unanimously today to extend the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) until 15 September 2018 as an integrated special political mission.

Adopting resolution 2376 (2017), the Council tasked the Mission with supporting an inclusive political process within the framework of the Libyan Political Agreement, and in full accordance with the principles of national ownership.  In that regard, UNSMIL would support the Agreement’s implementation, consolidation of the Government of National Accord’s governance, security and economic arrangements, and subsequent phases of Libya’s transition process.

Also by the text, the Council further decided that UNSMIL would support key Libyan institutions, support the provision of essential services and the delivery of humanitarian assistance upon request, and carry out human rights monitoring and reporting.  In addition, the Mission would support the securing of uncontrolled arms and related materiel and counter their proliferation; coordinate international assistance; and assist Government efforts to stabilize post-conflict zones, including those liberated from Islamic State in Irag and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh).

Welcoming the resolution, Elmahdi S. Elmajerbi (Libya) stressed the need for the Mission to base its work on the concept of national ownership and on its mandate to bring various parties together.  Explaining that political and institutional divisions were the main reason behind the myriad challenges currently facing Libya, he emphasized the importance of a united army representing the interests of the people.

He went on to underscore that resolving the crisis occasioned by migrants traversing Libya to reach Europe would require an international solution addressing its root causes.  A transit country such as Libya could not handle the migrant crisis alone, he added.  Political stability must be UNSMIL’s overarching aim, to be achieved by working towards national reconstruction within a legal framework that would also allow migrant workers to enjoy their rights fully.  He said it was “unfortunate” that the resolution did not mention the concept of national ownership, as requested by Libya.

The meeting began at 10:10 a.m. and ended at 10:16 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 2376 (2017) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its resolution 1970 (2011) and all its subsequent resolutions on Libya,

“Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya,

“Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) (document S/2017/726),

“Expressing its strong support for the ongoing efforts of UNSMIL, welcoming the appointment of the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and underscoring the importance of the United Nations’ central role, to facilitate a Libyan-led political solution to the challenges facing Libya,

“Recalling resolution 2259 (2015) which endorses the Rome communiqué of 13 December 2015 to support the Government of National Accord (GNA) as the sole legitimate Government of Libya, with Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj as the leader of the Presidency Council,

“Reiterating its support for the full implementation of the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) of Skhirat, Morocco signed on 17 December 2015 to form a GNA consisting of the Presidency Council and Cabinet supported by the other institutions of state including the House of Representatives and State Council,

“Welcoming the endorsement in principle of the LPA by the House of Representatives on 25 January 2016 and the subsequent meetings of the Libyan Political Dialogue which reaffirmed its commitment to uphold the LPA,

“Emphasizing the importance of continued inclusiveness, strongly encouraging the GNA to engage with all parties in support of reconciliation and to enhance political outreach throughout Libya, and urging all parties and institutions in Libya to engage constructively with the LPA in good faith and with sustained political will,

“Welcoming recent efforts to strengthen an inclusive political dialogue among all Libyans, including important efforts by Libya’s neighbours, international partners and regional organizations, and the meeting in Paris on 25 July 2017 and the joint declaration issued after the meeting as set out in a Security Council press statement on 27 July 2017, within the framework of the LPA endorsed by resolution 2259 (2015), and supporting the Secretary-General’s call to consolidate the various initiatives under the leadership of the United Nations,

“Looking forward to a comprehensive strategy and action plan for the engagement of the United Nations system in Libya, and to the high-level event to be held in the margins of the seventy-second session of the General Assembly in support of the central role of the United Nations in facilitating a Libyan-led political dialogue to build security, stability and national unity in Libya,

“Urging the full, equal and effective participation of women in all activities relating to the democratic transition, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, supporting the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to facilitate wider engagement and participation of women from across the spectrum of Libyan society in the political process and public institutions, and calling on the Libyan authorities to prevent and respond to sexual violence in conflict, including addressing impunity for sexual violence crimes in line with relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 1325 (2000), 2106 (2013), 2122 (2013), 2242 (2015) and 2331 (2016),

“Reaffirming the need for all parties in Libya to engage constructively with the United Nations and refrain from any actions that could undermine UN-mediated political dialogue and reiterating that there can be no military solution in Libya,

“Further reaffirming that all parties must comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, as applicable, and emphasizing that those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights must be held accountable,

“Fully supporting the Vienna Communiqué of 16 May 2016 which urged all parties to work constructively towards the completion of the transitional institutional framework and welcomed the creation of the Presidential Guard by the Presidency Council, encouraging further progress towards establishing the Presidential Guard, and stressing that ensuring security and defending Libya from terrorism must be the task of unified and strengthened national security forces under the sole authority of the GNA in accordance with the LPA,

“Further recalling resolution 2259 (2015) which called on Member States to cease support to and official contact with parallel institutions claiming to be the legitimate authority, but which were outside the LPA, as specified by the Agreement,

“Encouraging the GNA to finalize interim security arrangements for stabilizing Libya as a critical step towards tackling Libya’s political, security, humanitarian, economic and institutional challenges and recognising the need for the GNA to plan for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of armed groups in that regard, and encouraging the GNA to continue stabilization efforts in affected cities including in Sirte and Benghazi to consolidate gains against terrorism,

“Expressing grave concern at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Libya including deteriorating living standards and provision of basic services,

“Taking note of the economic dialogue taking place in Libya and the region and welcoming the commitment of the representatives of the Presidency Council, the Government of National Accord, the Central Bank of Libya, the Audit Bureau and the National Oil Corporation to alleviate urgently the suffering of the Libyan people by speeding up the delivery of public services, increasing oil production and improving liquidity,

“Reiterating its request that all Member States fully support the efforts of the SRSG and work with the Libyan authorities and UNSMIL to develop a coordinated package of support to build the capacity of the GNA, in line with Libyan priorities and in response to requests for assistance, and further reiterating its call upon all parties to cooperate fully with the activities of UNSMIL, including taking necessary steps to ensure the security and unhindered movement for the United Nations and associated personnel,

“Welcoming the recommendations of the Strategic Assessment Review to enhance UNSMIL’s ability to support the political process and to strengthen coordination across UNSMIL and the United Nations country team,

“Reiterating its concern at the smuggling of migrants and human trafficking through Libya, and welcoming the work of UNSMIL in coordinating and supporting the provision of humanitarian assistance for refugees and migrants through the UN Country Team, particularly the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration,

“Encouraging UNSMIL to continue to prioritize its tasks and mediation efforts in full consultation with the Presidency Council and other Libyan institutions and in response to its needs and the evolving situation in the country,

“Underscoring the importance of ensuring that existing sanctions measures are fully implemented and that cooperation continues with Libyan authorities to ensure violations are reported to the United Nations Sanctions Committee,

“Recalling its determination in resolution 2213 (2015) that the situation in Libya continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security,

“1.   Decides to extend until 15 September 2018 the mandate of UNSMIL, under the leadership of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, as an integrated special political mission, in full accordance with the principles of national ownership to exercise mediation and good offices to support:

(i)   an inclusive political process within the framework of the Libyan Political Agreement;

(ii)  continued implementation of the Libyan Political Agreement;

(iii) consolidation of the governance, security and economic arrangements of the Government of National Accord; and

(iv)  subsequent phases of the Libyan transition process;

“2.   Further decides that UNSMIL, within operational and security constraints, should undertake the following tasks:

(i)   support to key Libyan institutions;

(ii)  support, on request, for the provision of essential services, and delivery of humanitarian assistance and in accordance with humanitarian principles;

(iii) human rights monitoring and reporting;

(iv)  support for securing uncontrolled arms and related materiel and countering their proliferation; and

(v)   coordination of international assistance, and provision of advice and assistance to GNA-led efforts to stabilise post-conflict zones, including those liberated from Da’esh;

“3.   Requests the Secretary-General to develop a series of detailed objectives for the implementation of UNSMIL’s mandated tasks, and to report on progress towards these objectives in his regular reporting;

“4.   Requests UNSMIL to take fully into account a gender perspective throughout its mandate and to assist the GNA in ensuring the full and effective participation of women in the democratic transition, reconciliation efforts, the security sector and in national institutions in line with resolution 1325 (2000);

“5.   Recognizes that since 30 March 2016 UNSMIL has facilitated a consistent presence in Libya to support the Presidency Council and Temporary Security Committee and encourages UNSMIL to continue working towards re-establishing a presence in Tripoli and other parts of Libya, through a phased return, as security conditions allow and to make the necessary security arrangements to this effect;

“6.   Welcomes the recommendations from the Secretary-General’s Strategic Assessment Review for UNSMIL to implement a comprehensive political strategy as well as for greater integration and strategic coordination of UNSMIL and United Nations agencies, funds and programmes in Libya to support GNA-led efforts towards the stabilisation of Libya;

“7.   Requests the Secretary-General to continue to report to the Security Council on the implementation of this resolution at least every 60 days;

“8.   Requests the Secretary-General to report as necessary following consultations with the Libyan authorities on recommendations for UNSMIL’s support to the subsequent phases of the Libyan transition process and UNSMIL’s security arrangements;

“9.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”