Statement by the Delegation of Brazil at the UNSC briefing on the situation in Libya - November 15th, 2022
Mister/Madam President,
I thank SRSG Bathily for his briefing. I also welcome the Libyan delegation to this Chamber.
Brazil considers it important that this Council maintains the situation concerning Libya under close scrutiny. We are aware that the multiplication of Council meetings is not necessarily helpful for the discharge of our collective responsibility under the UN Charter.
Yet we should be careful not to signal negligence with certain files, the Libyan one in particular, while we give other items of the Council’s agenda comparatively more space. Heightened tensions yesterday, in Tripoli, surrounding a meeting of the High State Council, exemplify the need for close monitoring of the situation in Libya.
Mister/Madam President,
Our remarks are going to focus on one key aspect of the situation in Libya, namely the approach of the international community towards the country. First of all, Brazil observes the willingness of several actors, neighbouring countries and regional organizations, to collaborate with Libyan stakeholders, in pursuit of peace and stability.
We therefore recall the important role that the Peacebuilding Commission can play, upon Libyan request, to mobilize and coordinate international efforts and goodwill towards Libya.
In this regard, we also highlight the importance of a coherent, integrated, and strategic approach to peacebuilding in Libya, in full respect of Libyan sovereignty and peacebuilding priorities. Given the close relationship between the situation in Libya and that of the Sahel, as well as the current engagement of the region with the Peacebuilding Commission, we further
emphasize the importance of regional coordination, including amongst UNSMIL, UN missions operating in the Sahel and the PBC. International attitudes towards Libya, however, have not just been positive. On the contrary, some countries seem to have been fuelling the very protracted threat of armed conflict we are constantly discussing in this Council.
The disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of armed groups; the withdrawal of foreign troops; the unification of the military and security institutions – these are but a few áreas where foreign actions can actually hinder the path towards peace and national reconciliation in Libya, in case they are not undertaken under the auspices of relevant UN bodies such as the PBC.
The same is true for the ongoing political standstill. We reiterate that the political transition in Libya must be Libyan[1]led and Libyan-owned, including as regards agreement on a legal basis and timing for elections. At the same time, we acknowledge that the African Union is well-positioned to assist Libyan stakeholders in pursuing intra-Libyan dialogue, including on national reconciliation, free from interferences motivated by foreign interests.
Mister/Madam President,
All countries must fully respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya. They must also abide by the measures authorized by this Council under Chapter VII. We therefore echo concerns about the effectiveness of the arms embargo, the failings of which appear to be a direct consequence of narrow political interests from outside Libya. The same goes for the freezing of Libyan assets abroad, the active management of which in foreign countries contravenes relevant Security Council resolutions.
In conclusion, we reiterate our commitment to working towards the goal of a true Libyan-led and Libyan-owned peaceful political transition, which we consider a necessary condition for peace and stability in Libya, alongside progress in the security and economic sectors, all of which should be led from within Libya, with the participation of all Libyan stakeholders.
Thank you