By Sami Zaptia.
London, 27 March 2019:
In a statement released yesterday, the UN Security Council (UNSC) reiterated its full support for its Special Representative, Ghassan Salame, for a political solution to Libya’s ongoing political impasse. The UNSC supported Salame’s planned April National Conference, the Serraj-Hafter Abu Dhabi meeting as well the outcomes of the Paris and Palermo meetings.
Here is the full statement:
The members of the Security Council emphasized their full support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ghassan Salamé, and the United Nations Support Mission for Libya (UNSMIL) as they seek to mediate a political way forward in Libya that would lead to credible and peaceful elections. The Members called upon all United Nations Member States and regional organizations to unite in support of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General during this critical phase of Libya’s transition.
The members of the Security Council welcomed the announcement by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on 20 March 2019 that the National Conference will take place from 14 to 16 April 2019 in Ghadames, Libya.
The members of the Security Council also welcomed the convening of United Nations-facilitated talks in Abu Dhabi on 27 February 2019 between the Prime Minister and the President of the Presidency Council of the Government of National Accord, Fayez al-Sarraj, and Libya National Army Commander [Khalifa] Haftar, including their agreement on the need to end the transitional stages in Libya through the holding of general elections.
The members of the Security Council recalled Libyan leaders’ commitments, made at the international conferences in Paris on 29 May 2018 and Palermo on 12‑13 November 2018, including to work constructively with the United Nations‑facilitated efforts.
The members of the Security Council underlined that the National Conference provides a crucial opportunity for all Libyans to put aside their differences, exercise restraint for the good of the country, and achieve peace and prosperity for the Libyan people. The members called upon all those attending to come together to engage in good faith in this Libyan-led, Libyan-owned process.
