Delivered by H.E. Mohamed Abushahab, Deputy Permanent Representative
UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION
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Mr. President,
I thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo for her comprehensive briefing. We also thank Ms. Bushra Alhodiri for her valuable briefing, and we welcome the participation of Ambassador Taher El-Sonni in today’s meeting.
At the outset, we wish to reaffirm that this critical juncture in Libya, following the conclusion of the timeline set out in the LPDF roadmap, requires Libyans to continue to engage in a responsible national dialogue and to commit to full de-escalation. We welcome the progress made by the Libyan parties after the conclusion of the third round of consultations of the Constitutional Track Committee in Cairo, and we look forward to the meetings that will be held this week, which we hope will lead to consensus on the remaining points of contention. This will enable Libyans to take practical steps, based on a constitutional framework, to facilitate the holding of free, fair, inclusive, and credible parliamentary and presidential elections on a date agreed upon by Libyans themselves. In this context, we value the tireless efforts of the United Nations and Egypt in facilitating these consultations and encourage active follow-up to these endeavors over the coming period to maintain the current momentum.
Stability requires the removal of all obstacles to the preservation of calm and to ending the political divide between the Libyan parties. The most important of these obstacles is insecurity, especially in light of the escalation and recurrence of clashes between armed groups in Tripoli and the military build-up in its vicinity.
As a matter of priority, security and military institutions should be consolidated and disarmament issues addressed. In this context, the UAE supports the initiative of the Libyan Presidential Council on national reconciliation, as well as efforts to address the general situation with a view to protecting Libyan civilians, particularly women and children. We also support the statement of the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States calling on all Libyan parties to maintain the ceasefire agreement and prevent its collapse, and warning against the path of violence.
In this context, we welcome the resumption of the 5+5 Libyan Joint Military Commission under the auspices of the United Nations. This is a positive development in light of the complex situation. We stress here the need to implement Security Council resolutions related to the withdrawal of forces, foreign fighters, and mercenaries from Libya in a simultaneous, phased, gradual, and balanced manner.
Security vacuums must not be exploited by extremist and terrorist groups that are waiting for any opportunity to expand and extend their control in Libya. We continue to support the efforts of the Libyan forces in combating terrorism, especially by securing the southern Libyan border. In addition, political differences should not be a reason or catalyst for the spread of hate speech and incitement of violence. Efforts must be intensified to combat this discourse in all its forms, in support of peacebuilding and stability in Libya.
Mr. President,
We look forward to renewing the mandate of UNSMIL next month with a substantive resolution that strengthens the mandate of the Mission and enhances its capacity to support Libya. Similarly, we look forward to the appointment of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Libya at the earliest opportunity and in line with the requirements of the current situation.
In conclusion, we call on our brethren in Libya to preserve the achievements made since the ceasefire agreement, to continue to unify and protect all vital Libyan institutions from politicization, and to bring the protracted transition period to an end in order to provide a dignified living for all Libyans in a united, secure, and stable country.
Thank you, Mr. President.