Libya on Brink of Permanent Split, Top United Nations Man Tells Security Council, as African Union Official Calls Country ‘Proxy Battleground’ for External Actors
Permanent Representative Highlights Progress by Government of National Accord, Urges Members to Do More than ‘Express Concern’
Libya is on the verge of a civil war that could split the country permanently, the senior United Nations official in that country warned the Security Council today, as that body’s members sounded the alarm over the rapid proliferation of weapons and the prospect of a major humanitarian catastrophe.
“Libya is on the verge of descending into a civil war which could lead to the permanent division of the country,” said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), cautioning that the potential damage would take years to repair, even if the war ends now.
Recalling the attack by General Khalifa Haftar’s forces on Tripoli, where a third of Libya’s 6.5 million people live, he reported that more than 460 people were killed, 29 of them civilians. Over 2,400 were injured, mostly civilians, he added, noting that 75,000 more civilians have been forced from their homes, over half of them women and children. He urged the Council to call for silencing the guns and for the warring parties to engage with UNSMIL to ensure a full and comprehensive cessation of hostilities and a return to the inclusive United Nations-led political process.
The African Union’s Commissioner for Peace and Security said the situation is complicated further by the fact that Libya has essentially become a proxy battleground for external actors pursuing their national interests through local proxies. “The African Union remains convinced that there is no military solution to the crisis and therefore reiterates its call for a dialogue and consensus between and among Libyans as the only lasting solution for a stable and united Libya.”
Persistent disagreements between the Presidency Council and the House of Representatives concerning the scope and modalities of implementation have stalled any meaningful progress, he noted. “It is tragic to see the resumption of the war the same day when the United Nations Secretary-General arrived in Tripoli and two days after the Chairperson of the African Union Commission visited Tripoli and Benghazi to consolidate a long-expected political agreement.” The situation is having devastating effects on African migrants, especially those detained in Tripoli, he said, citing reports from the capital that some migrants are being used as human shields.
Toxic external interference has exacerbated the already volatile situation on the ground, he reiterated, stressing that all stakeholders must concentrate their efforts on continuing the peace process. “In the face of the prolonged suffering and despair of the Libyan people, the full-scale war imposed on them and the bitter lesson of the past seven years, I count on my colleagues around this table to go above and beyond a review of the political and security situation.”
Equatorial Guinea’s representative emphasized the importance of the Commissioner’s statement in providing a much-needed African perspective on the situation in Libya. The realities on the ground get worse by the hour, fuelling a heightened sense of alarm, he said, pointing out that the conflict could have been avoided in the first place. He went on to reject outside meddling, urging third‑party players instead to influence all sides in the conflict to recommit to a ceasefire. External meddling only exacerbates the situation on the ground, he reiterated.
The United Kingdom’s emphasized that all Member States have an obligation to honour the arms embargo imposed by the Security Council. “Flooding Libya with arms is only going to fuel the escalation,” she warned. Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) continues to capitalize on Libya’s instability, she said, pointing out that those extremist groups are the ones actually benefiting most from the conflict.
Other Council members expressed concern about the military confrontation, the regrouping of terrorists with a view to recapturing their former strongholds, violations of the Council-imposed arms embargo, the subsequent proliferation of weapons, the risk of conflict spilling over into the wider Sahel region, as well as the burgeoning humanitarian crisis.
South Africa’s representative said her delegation does not view the imposition of sanctions as an end in and of itself, but rather as a complementary tool intended to accompany a political process towards peace. However, an arms embargo is an important way to prevent the illicit flow of arms into Libya and the greater Sahel, she noted.
The Dominican Republic’s representative recalled that, before the clashes in Tripoli, his delegation was cautiously optimistic about a political solution, in particular the prospect of convening the National Conference in April. However, the situation went from bad to worse over the past one-and-a-half months, he noted, predicting that if the situation persists, Libya will be “the next major humanitarian crisis in the region” and its weak social fabric may not withstand such a shock.
Côte d’Ivoire’s representative said that, with prospects for intra-Libyan dialogue dwindling, the United Nations and the African Union can play an important mediation role in ending the crisis and achieving lasting peace. The recent communiqué issued by the two organizations highlights their complementary roles, he added.
The Russian Federation’s representative said the state of Libya today is the direct result of geopolitical engineering that some countries decided to conduct in 2011, emphasizing that the situation should serve as a reminder that foreign interventions are a bad idea. Any external attempt to distort or set parameters for how Libyans should set up their national institutions will be counterproductive, he said, adding that previous commitments made have, unfortunately, remained only on paper. “The natural wealth of Libya belongs exclusively to the Libyan people,” he stressed.
Libya’s representative, noting that eight years have passed since the situation in his country was placed on the Council’s agenda, highlighted the progress made by the Government of National Accord on public order, the functioning of State institutions, cooperation with the international community, eradication of terrorists, removal of chemical weapons, and the promotion and protection of human rights and economic growth, he urged the Council to do more than merely expressing concern. It should implement its resolutions and help the Special Representative begin a political process, he added.
Indonesia’s delegate, Council President for May, spoke in his national capacity, echoing calls for a humanitarian pause during the holy month of Ramadan. He expressed concern that an estimated 100,000 men, women and children remain trapped in immediate front-line areas, and that more than 400,000 are in areas directly impacted by clashes. “Every day of violence means more people killed, injured or displaced.”
Also briefing was Jürgen Schulz (Germany), Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya.
Others delivering statements were representatives of Kuwait, France, China, United States, Poland, Peru, Belgium and Germany.
The meeting began at 10:10 a.m. and ended at 12:11 p.m.
Briefings
GHASSAN SALAMÉ, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), said that, 48 days after the 4 April attack on Tripoli by General Khalifa Haftar’s forces, too many people have been killed and much has been destroyed. “Libya is on the verge of descending into a civil war which could lead to the permanent division of the country,” he warned, noting that the potential damage would take years to mend, and even then, only if the war ends now. More than 460 people were killed, 29 of them civilians, and more than 2,400 injured, the majority civilians, he reported, adding that 75,000 civilians have been forced from their homes, more than half of them women and children. Humanitarian actors estimate that more than 100,000 people remain trapped in immediate front-line areas, with more than 400,000 others in areas directly impacted by the clashes, he said, lamenting: “This is the report whose delivery I have spent nearly the last two years trying to avoid.”
He went on to say that the Secretary-General’s visit to Libya on 3 April was intended to demonstrate the international community’s full support for a peaceful resolution of the country’s long period of upheaval. Indeed, the attack on Tripoli came on the eve of the National Conference in Ghadmes, an event that would have brought together more than 150 Libyans from across the country. The attack also imperilled the potential of the talks held on 27 February in Abu Dhabi between Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and General Haftar, he said. During their talks, there was a real opportunity to replace the Government of National Accord, dissolve the parallel Government and create an inclusive, unified national Government that would have shepherded Libya through the election process to the end of the transitional period. He recalled that the understandings reached in Abu Dhabi also placed the military under civilian control, a key demand of the vast majority of Libyans and many in the international community. ISIL and Al‑Qaida are exploiting the security vacuum created by the withdrawal of many of General Haftar’s troops from the south, he said, noting that four separate ISIL attacks have occurred in southern Libya.
He went on to note that the conflict has been characterized by the use of air strikes, heavy artillery and the indiscriminate shelling of residential areas, adding that Ramadan nights have become periods of sheer terror. The United Nations still maintains an active presence on the ground, although it had to scale down non-essential personnel, given the situation. Another casualty is infrastructure, including electricity and water. “There is no military solution to Libya,” he said, emphasizing: “This is not a cliché.” A country of 6.5 million people deserves peace and the right to collectively determine their own path forward. Without immediate action to stop the flow of arms and pressure on the parties in conflict to resume serious dialogue, Libya will descend into a civil war which could potentially lead to a Hobbesian all-against-all state of chaos or partition, he warned. Although full-scale civil war is not inevitable, it may occur by the will of some parties and the inaction of others, he cautioned, urging the Council to take up its responsibility to call for silencing the guns and for the warring parties to engage with UNSMIL to ensure a full and comprehensive cessation of hostilities and a return to an inclusive United Nations-led political process.
SMAIL CHERGUI, Commissioner for Peace and Security of the African Union, spoke by videoconference from Addis Ababa, reporting that the situation in Libya has deteriorated gravely in the last few weeks. On 4 April, the Libyan National Army launched a military campaign to take over Tripoli while the Government of National Accord mobilized forces to defend the capital, he recalled. The ensuing fighting led to the deaths of more than 400 civilians, injury to over 2,000 and the displacement of 60,000 more, he said, adding that the situation is complicated further by the fact that Libya has essentially become a battleground for external actors pursuing their national interests through local proxies. “The African Union remains convinced that there is no military solution to the crisis and therefore reiterates its call for a dialogue and consensus between and among Libyans as the only lasting solution for a stable and united Libya,” he said.
Persistent disagreements between the Presidency Council and the House of Representatives concerning the scope and modalities of implementation have stalled any meaningful progress, he continued. “It is tragic to see the resumption of the war the same day when the United Nations Secretary-General arrived in Tripoli and two days after the Chairperson of the African Union Commission visited Tripoli and Benghazi to consolidate a long-expected political agreement,” he said. In addition to the composition of the Presidency Council, the formation of a national Government, the army commander-in-chief and the equitable distribution of oil revenues, the fate of African migrants in Libya and the dangerous impact of the crisis on the entire Sahel are also of concern, he emphasized.
“The last terrorist attack in Niger proved once again that more means and techniques have been brought from Libya,” he said, underlining that it is imperative to recognize that the deteriorating situation demands an immediate ceasefire agreement. The situation is having devastating effects on African migrants, especially those detained in Tripoli, he reiterated, citing reports from the capital that some migrants are being used as human shields. Beyond coordination with International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the European Union on this issue, additional efforts are urgently needed, he said. Toxic external interference in Libya has exacerbated the already volatile situation on the ground, he reiterated, stressing that all stakeholders must concentrate their efforts on continuing the peace process. “In the face of the prolonged suffering and despair of the Libyan people, the full-scale war imposed on them and the bitter lesson of the past seven years, I count on my colleagues around this table to go above and beyond a review of the political and security situation.”
JÜRGEN SCHULZ (Germany), Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya, reported that Moncef Kartas, a member of the Committee’s Panel of Experts, was arrested and detained in Tunisia on 26 March. In its most recent written note, dated 13 May, the Secretariat informed the Committee that, after a careful review of the information submitted by the Tunisian authorities to the Secretariat, it reaffirmed the immunities enjoyed by Mr. Kartas, requesting his immediate release and the dropping of any charges against him. During the reporting period, the Committee also concluded its consideration of two of the four recommendations previously submitted by Libya with reference to paragraph 8 of resolution 2174 (2014), he reported. The Committee determined that the items and services in question fell under the exception to the arms embargo contained in paragraph 10 of resolution 2095 (2013), he said, while also providing updates on the Committee’s work relating to asset freezes and travel bans.
Statements
KAREN PIERCE (United Kingdom) emphasized that all Member States have an obligation to honour the arms embargo. “Flooding Libya with arms is only going to fuel the escalation,” she warned. Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) continues to capitalize on Libya’s instability, she said, pointing out that, adding that those extremist groups are actually the ones benefiting most from the conflict. On the humanitarian front, she called upon all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and to ensure that medical facilities and workers are protected. She called upon all Member States to respect the fact that United Nations personnel have immunity.
MANSOUR AYYAD SH. A. ALOTAIBI (Kuwait) cautioned that the recent confrontations in Libya could undermine all the efforts of recent years. Emphasizing that there will never be a military solution to the conflict, he called upon all parties to exercise restraint to and respect all principles of international law. They must prioritize dialogue and reconciliation while cooperating with UNSMIL’s efforts to “move on from the past”, he stressed. Turning to the rise in terrorist attacks, he said “these terrorist attacks require condemnation from the Security Council” as they are imperilling peace and stability in the region.
FRANÇOIS DELATTRE (France) said the fighting has had worrying humanitarian implications. All the parties should meet their commitments towards civilians and civilian infrastructure. “Criminal groups, radicals and terrorists are profiting from this situation,” he said, noting that many such individuals are on the Security Council sanctions list. The situation threatens to get worse if nothing is done to move beyond the current impasse, he cautioned. Stressing that all Libyan stakeholders must disassociate themselves from terrorists, he said that settling the conflict and stabilizing the country are imperatives for the Libyan people, the region and the international community. The other urgent matter is to resume political discussions as part of the United Nations process, he said, adding that the Organization should continue to play a central role in resolving the conflict in an independent manner.
MA ZHAOXU (China) called for a political solution, emphasizing that the conflict can only be settled through dialogue. Different stakeholders must seek synergy by respecting Libya’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty, he said, stressing that countries with influence should play a constructive role in resolving the conflict. Enhanced coordination among the United Nations, regional organizations and other actors is vital to fully leveraging their roles, he said. He went on to underline that imposing sanctions is not an end in itself, but a means to complement a political process. The international community should avoid the negative impacts of such measures on the population.
KACOU HOUADJA LÉON ADOM (Côte d’Ivoire) warned that prospects for intra‑Libyan dialogue are dwindling six weeks after the attack on Tripoli. Condemning the clashes between the forces of the Government of National Accord and those of General Haftar, he stressed the importance of mediation efforts by the United Nations and the African Union. Ending the crisis and achieving lasting peace depends on bold, constructive, inclusive dialogue, with all issues on the table, he said. There is no denying that the escalation of the conflict has had knock-on effects on the oil industry, he said, emphasizing that the national oil company should control oil exports. The recent communiqué issued by the African Union and the United Nations highlights the complementary roles played by the two organizations in resolving the conflict in Libya.
JONATHAN R. COHEN (United States) emphasized that the safety of United Nations personnel and civilians is the foremost concern for his delegation, while warning against instability, destruction and the regrouping of terrorists, among other dangers. Lasting peace can only be attained through a political process, he said, urging all parties to return to the United Nations-led mediation process. He went on to sound the alarm regarding the humanitarian situation while calling upon all sides to avoid escalation and work cooperatively with UNSMIL.
VLADIMIR K. SAFRONKOV (Russian Federation) said his country has always emphasized the African Union’s important role in settling the continent’s crises. The bitter reality is that Libya — a country that until recently was very stable — has descended into chaos, he said, adding that it is being used as a crossing point for migrants and a source of instability for the entire region. Libya’s state today is the direct result of geopolitical engineering that some countries decided to conduct in 2011, he recalled, emphasizing that the situation should serve as a reminder that foreign interventions are a bad idea. He called upon all parties to unite in working to end the military confrontation. “We must continue humanitarian assistance to all Libyans,” he added, emphasizing that Libya and its people must come first. “The natural wealth of Libya belongs exclusively to the Libyan people.” Effective State institutions are essential in helping the fight against terrorism, he said, underlining that any external attempt to distort or set parameters for how Libyans should set up their national institutions will be counter-productive. Commitments previously made have, unfortunately, remained only on paper, he added. He went on to note the important role of regional actors in their efforts to restore peace and unity to Libya, while emphasizing that a political settlement should not be a question of competition and that the arms embargo must be respected by all partners without exception.
AYANDA NAMHLA NATASHA BEKWA (South Africa) called upon all parties to reduce tensions and exercise restraint so as to prevent further destruction and loss of life. Reiterating calls for all parties to recommit to building peace on the basis of inclusive political dialogue, she emphasized the need to abide by the ceasefire reached in September 2018. South Africa will continue to support the convening of a Libyan National Peace and Reconciliation Forum, she said, expressing deep concern over postponement of the process due to the increase in fighting in and around Tripoli. South Africa does not view the imposition of sanctions as an end in and of itself, but rather as a tool intended to accompany a political process towards peace and post conflict, she said, while pointing out that the arms embargo is an important way to prevent the illicit flow of arms into Libya and the greater Sahel.
JOANNA WRONECKA (Poland) condemned the growing number of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, calling upon all parties to implement a ceasefire immediately and engage with the United Nations to ensure a full cessation of hostilities. All parties must also fully respect the arms embargo and refrain from actions that could further undermine the United Nations-facilitated political dialogue. The recent terrorist attack in Sebha serves as a strong reminder that terrorist groups will exploit every opportunity to expand their presence in Libya, she said, stressing that all parties must disassociate themselves from terrorist and criminal elements.
LUIS UGARELLI (Peru) said that, faced with the grim reality of the armed conflict gripping Libya, the best option for the country is a political solution in accordance with the Abu Dhabi Conference. “It is clear that the warmongering rhetoric needs to be tuned down,” he emphasized. Expressing concern over violations of the arms embargo, he said such actions will only help to prolong the conflict at the direct expense of civilians. Urging all parties to ensure that civilians are protected and international humanitarian law is respected, without favour or double standards, he stressed that violators of international human rights and international humanitarian law must be prosecuted in Libyan courts.
JOSÉ SINGER WEISINGER (Dominican Republic) recalled that, a few months ago, his delegation was cautiously optimistic about a political solution, in particular the prospect of convening the National Conference in April. The violence that followed that cautious optimism eroded the progress made and represents a threat to international and regional security, he said. Calling for an end not only to the conflict, but also to aggressive rhetoric, he urged all sides to return to dialogue and find a political solution. He went on to call upon arms dealers and other actors to prevent weapons from ending up in conflict zones. Noting the situation went bad to worse over the past one and a half months, he predicted that if this continues, Libya will be the next major humanitarian crisis in the region and its weak social fabric may not withstand such a shock.
KAREN VAN VLIERBERGE (Belgium) said today’s briefings remind all that civilians are paying the heavy price for the rejection of a political process. Terrorists are the major beneficiaries of the current escalation, she said, noting that the situation is allowing ISIL to employ a guerrilla strategy. There is urgent need for a ceasefire, she emphasized, also cautioning that violations of the arms embargo prolong the conflict as well as the suffering of the Libyan people.
NARCISO SIPACO RIBALA (Equatorial Guinea) emphasized the importance of the statement by the Commissioner for Peace and Security in providing a much-needed African perspective on the situation in Libya. The realities on the ground get worse by the hour, fuelling a heightened sense of alarm, he said, emphasizing that the conflict could have been avoided in the first place. He went on to reject outside meddling, instead urging third-party players to influence all parties in conflict to recommit to a ceasefire. External meddling only exacerbates the situation on the ground, he stressed. Violations of the arms embargo complicate the situation on the ground and reverse progress, he noted, underscoring that there can be no military solution to this conflict.
Mr. SCHULZ (Germany), speaking in his national capacity, said it is the responsibility of all sides to do everything possible to prevent a further escalation of violence, noting that the conflict has caused a humanitarian disaster that is also affecting civilians and refugees. “We strongly condemn and are appalled by attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure and health workers,” he said. Germany also categorically condemns all attacks and acts of intimidation against human rights defenders, he added. Concerning the arms embargo, he said the sheer number of weapons in Libya is truly shocking and the enormous influx is one of the causes of the humanitarian disaster. He went on to urge all parties to abide strictly by the arms embargo and underscored the immunity of United Nations personnel and humanitarian workers.
DIAN TRIANSYAH DJANI (Indonesia), Council President for May, spoke in his national capacity, calling upon all parties to recommit to a ceasefire, de‑escalation and a return to United Nations political mediation. Expressing support for the convening of the Libyan National Conference, he said it is critical that discussions on the country’s future involve its people. He reiterated calls for a humanitarian pause during the month of Ramadan, expressing concern that an estimated 100,000 men, women and children remain trapped in immediate front-line areas. More than 400,000 are in areas directly impacted by clashes, he said, adding: “Every day of violence means more people killed, injured or displaced.” It is important that all parties respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and not target civilians and humanitarian workers, he stressed.
ELMAHDI S. ELMAJERBI (Libya) noted that eight years have passed since the situation in his country was placed on the Council’s agenda. The Council has since passed a number of resolutions and other measures while the Government of National Accord spared no effort to restore peace and security. Outlining measures carried out by the Government, he said it has made progress on public order, the functioning of State institutions and cooperation with the international community. National security forces were able to oust terrorists from many areas, in cooperation with United Nations counter-terrorism entities, he said, adding that tons of chemical weapons were eliminated. Progress has also been made on human rights, protection of migrants and the economy.
He went on to state that the Government has demonstrated flexibility in its talks with General Haftar in Abu Dhabi and Paris. However, Haftar launched an attack on Tripoli, where a third of Libyans live, and his forces killed and displaced civilians, recruited children and kidnapped journalists. They sought to control water supplies by cutting pipelines and committed crimes against humanity, he said. It is evident that some countries are providing Haftar’s forces with military equipment, such as planes and missiles, in clear contravention of the Council’s decisions, he noted, emphasizing that the Government of National Accord has the sovereign right to protect its citizens and was forced to respond to that aggression, which allowed ISIL’s return to the south of Libya. Pointing out the Council’s inability to end the conflict and prevent harmful interventions, he urged it to do more than merely expressing concern. It should implement its resolutions and help the Special Representative begin a political process, he added.