Statement by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador João Genésio de Almeida Filho, at the UNSC briefing on the situation in Libya - February 27th, 2023

Thank you, Madam President.

I thank SRSG Bathily for his briefing. I welcome the Libyan delegation to today’s meeting.

We appreciate the information provided by the SRSG on his recent engagement with member States as part of his consultations on the Libyan file. We recognize the importance of input from regional actors. However, we recall that the Security Council remains the appropriate forum for discussing amendments to UNSMIL’s mandate, if needed, and for providing guidance to the SRSGS on its implementation. As set out in resolution 2542, that mandate, on the political track, continues to be that of mediating between the Libyan parties and offering them the mission’s good offices. This should ensure a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political transition.

Brazil trusts that the SRSG’s proposal for a roadmap towards elections in 2023, therefore, is primarily the outcome of the SRSG’s engagement with the Libyan parties. Given the seriousness of the fragmentation of government structures, as well as the increasing challenges to the authority of the different Libyan political actors following the expiration of the transitional period in 2022, we hope that the SRSG’s roadmap will pave the way for the Libyan people to agree on a way forward as soon as possible. The roadmap should contribute to an environment where Libyan actors, without foreign interference, can set aside their differences and move towards elections, in order to unify government and restore the legitimacy of Libyan institutions.

We commend the SRSG’s idea of fostering new intra-Libyan dialogue involving all Libyan stakeholders, with the objective of overcoming the political deadlock between the High Council of State and the House of Representatives. It is our expectation that new formulas proposed to address the crisis in Libya take into account the legitimate interests of all relevant Libyan parties.

Madam President,

I would like to draw this Council’s attention to one conclusion by the Panel of Experts that assists this Council in implementing the Libya sanctions regime. In its latest report, the panel stated the following:

“The arms embargo remains totally ineffective. Member States supporting parties to the conflict control the logistic flow and supply chains to those parties, and continue to violate the arms embargo with impunity”.

Brazil has repeatedly emphasized the need for both the respect and enforcement of the arms embargo on Libya, in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner. We reiterate our calls upon member States to respect their obligation to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of weapons and related material to Libya. Ultimately, the repeated violations of the arms embargo embolden political adversaries within Libya.

Madam President,

The lack of clarity about the precise organizational structure of the official security apparatus in Libya contributes to the difficulties of enforcing the arms embargo. We urge the Libyan authorities to comply with the relevant Security Council resolutions and provide the Sanctions Committee with updated and detailed information on the organization of their security institutions.

Knowing affiliations of armed branches under government authority is also important to ensure appropriate accountability mechanisms for violations of human rights, humanitarian law, and refugee law. Private and public actors responsible for such violations must be held accountable.

Finally, Brazil reiteratesthe need for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya, as well as for strategies for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration into Libyan society of local armed militias. We commend the work of the Joint Military Commission 5+5 to that effect, hoping for the implementation of the several agreements recently announced.

To conclude, Brazil recalls the role that the Peacebuilding Commission can play, upon Libyan request, to convene all relevant actors, particularly neighboring countries, and help promoting in Libya an integrated, strategic and coherent approach to security[1]sector reform and institution-building more broadly. This Council expressly acknowledged this case-specific role for the PBC when it adopted last year resolution 2647, which is the basis of UNSMIL’s current mandate. As a UN intergovernmental advisory body with the ability to support political dialogue in post-conflict situations, the PBC can channel towards Libya the support of other countries, whose only vested interest in Libyan affairs is to build and sustain peace, in full respect of Libyan sovereignty and peacebuilding priorities.

Thank you.