Mr. President,
I would first like to thank Special Representative Hanna Tetteh for her briefing and reiterate France’s full support for her efforts. I also welcome the presence of the Permanent Representative of Libya.
The keen interest generated by the municipal elections demonstrates the Libyan people’s aspiration to decide for themselves their future. We welcome the announced resumption of the electoral process in 16 municipalities and the organization of the last phase of local elections scheduled to be held on October 20.
Nevertheless, we remain very concerned about the political, security, and strategic instability in Libya. Let us take advantage of the renewal of UNSMIL’s mandate to make progress on two fronts: stability and the reunification of institutions.
In this regard, I wish to highlight four point:
1/ First of all, the United Nations roadmap sets a clear course for leading the country to national elections. The Council must strongly support it.
To adress the political deadlock, we need to support the implementation of its three pillars:
First, the adoption of a viable legal framework for holding elections;
Second, the unification of institutions through a new unified government;
Third, a national dialogue that places Libyans at the heart of the political process.
This is the way forward to enable the holding of the presidential and legislative elections that the population is waiting for and to ensure reunification of all institutions, including the government.
At the same time, the strategic review conducted by the Secretariat confirmed what lies at the heart of UNSMIL’s mandate, namely the relaunch of the political process. The renewal of this mandate in a few days’ time is an opportunity to reaffirm it.
2/ Second, in order to break out of the cycle of recurring security tensions, the convergence of domestic political forces and international engagement is essential.
The agreement reached between the stakeholders in the capital is a positive step forward. Despite this, the security situation remains volatile, and France calls on political stakeholders and armed groups to refrain from actions that could destabilize the country. We encourage the implementation of a lasting ceasefire and the reunification of security and military institutions.
I also wish to draw the Council’s attention to foreign interventions that undermine Libya’s sovereignty. The withdrawal of foreign forces, foreign fighters, and mercenaries, in accordance with the Libyan plan which was endorsed by this Council, is imperative. We call for full compliance with the arms embargo on Libya. In this regard, I would like to recall that the European Union’s Operation IRINI is the only initiative with a mandate to implement the arms embargo on Libya and combat trafficking.
3/ Thirdly, we call for the continuation of the urgent economic reforms that the country needs and that its people are demanding. Efforts to reunify economic institutions and ensure greater transparency and accountability must be pursued so that Libya’s national resources are distributed equitably for the benefit of the population. This is a matter of equity, but we also know that it is a matter of national and regional security.
4/ Lastly, the human rights situation remains a cause for concern. Libya will be heard at the 50th session of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva. We call upon the Libyan civil authorities to step up the fight against impunity, to guarantee the exercise of civic freedoms, to continue their efforts to protect migrants and combat illegal immigration, to prevent arbitrary detentions, as well as to work towards real equality between men and women.
Mr. President,
A solution is taking shape to allow Libya to regain its sovereignty, unity, and stability. It requires the full support of the international community. It has the support of France.
Thank you.