Statement by the Delegation of Brazil at the UNSC briefing on the situation in Libya - October 24th, 2022

Thank you, Mr/Mrs President.

We also thank the newly appointed SRSG for Libya, Mr. Abdoulaye Bathily, for his briefing. You have the full support of Brazil.

Brazil considers that your appointment, Mr Bathily, reopens a window of opportunity, particularly in the first few months of your tenure, for UNSMIL to be effective in its advisory role in support of a true Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process.

We therefore encourage SRSG Bathily to engage with all Libyan stakeholders with a sense of urgency and building on existing agreements, including the principles agreed to in the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum.

We also encourage the new SRSG to follow through the recommendations of UNSMIL independent strategic review, including by strengthening the use of strategic communications to support the mission’s activities.

The organization of elections on a firm constitutional basis constitutes one important step towards unifying government institutions in Libya. We recall the importance of other steps to ensure peace and stability in the country, as part of an integrated, strategic and coherent approach to peacebuilding.

The disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of armed groups should be a priority in the security track, closely interlinked with the development conditions and the human rights situation in Libya. We acknowledge the contributions of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission as a platform for intra-Libyan dialogue to tackle structural conditions related to armed violence. We also underline the importance of regional coordination for the return of foreign fighters to their countries of origin.

This Council has repeatedly acknowledged the strong linkages between the stability and security in Libya and in neighbouring countries, particularly in the Sahel. We therefore call for closer coordination between UNSMIL and other UN missions operating in the region. Brazil also highlights the involvement of the Peacebuilding Commission in the Sahel and encourage exchange of views between this Council and the PBC on the Libyan file.

We welcomed the announcement by the Presidential Council on the launching of a national reconciliation strategy for Libya last June. We look forward to the implementation of that strategy taking into account the offer made by the African Union to support Libyan efforts for national reconciliation.

We also thank Morocco’s efforts in support of intra-Libyan dialogue, including mostly recently by hosting talks between the President of the High Council of State and the speaker of the House of Representatives over this past weekend. We are optimistic about the outcome of the most recent talks.

Brazil, however, remains concerned that the persistence of the political impasse risks being instrumentalised to fuel a return to conflict and violence. We recall that there can be no military solution to the Libyan crisis. We highlight the importance of effective accountability mechanisms to further dissuade attempts at bringing political change by force.

Brazil remains concerned also with an impetus to increase oil output from Libya to respond to demands in the global oil market. In the absence of unified government policy, including on fair and transparent revenue distribution, the parameter for the management of natural resources in Libya, as a corollary of Libyan sovereignty, should remain Libyan national development and the well-being of all Libyans, rather than responding to foreign-driven interests and pressures.

We also note with concern the persistence of the active management of Libyan assets frozen abroad, particularly under policies that result in the erosion of frozen funds, contradicting the aim of the sanctions regime, which is to preserve these funds for the benefit of the Libyan people. Brazil recalls the conclusions by the panel of experts that the active management of Libyan frozen assets is not allowed under the auspices of 19 of resolution 1970.

Finally, my delegation observes that the Council’s authorization for member States to implement the arms embargo on Libya continues to give rise to controversy. We stress once again the importance of fully respecting the arms embargo and implementing it in accordance with the terms set out in relevant Security Council resolutions. This Council has to find unity as it calls on the Libyan parties to put aside their differences and move forward in a genuine Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process.