Hailing political accord, Security Council urges international aid against terrorist groups in Libya

The agreement to form a Government of National Accord with a Presidency Council, Cabinet, House of Representatives and State Council – signed in Morocco last week – was facilitated by the Secretary-General Special Representative, Martin Kobler, in a bid to end a four-year-long crisis that has left nearly 2.4 million Libyans in desperate need of humanitarian aid.

In a unanimously adopted resolution, the Council hailed the formation of the Presidency Council and called on it to work within the 30 days prescribed by the agreement to form a Government of National Accord, and finalize interim security arrangements needed to stabilize the North African country, which has been plagued by factional fighting since the 2011 revolution.

It called on all Member States to fully support Kobler’s efforts and work with the Libyan authorities and the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), which he heads, to develop a coordinated package of support to build the capacity of the Government of National Accord.

The resolution voiced concern at the grave humanitarian situation in Libya, called for the full participation of women in all activities relating to the democratic transition, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, and urged Member States to respond generously to humanitarian aid appeals.

It condemned terrorist acts committed in Libya by groups proclaiming allegiance to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL); condemned any direct or indirect trade, in particular in oil and oil products, modular refineries, chemicals and lubricants with such groups; and called on all Member States to cooperate with the new Government to end such smuggling.

The Council urged Member States to “actively support the new Government in defeating ISIL, groups that have pledged allegiance to ISIL, Ansar Al Sharia, and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida operating in Libya, upon its request.”

It urged coordinated international support tackle the threat posed by unsecured arand ammunition and their proliferation in undermining regional stability, including through transfer to terrorists.

It also urged Member States to share with the new Government and with each other information on migrant smuggling and human trafficking in Libya’s territorial sea and on the high seas off the coast and to aid migrants and human trafficking victirecovered at sea.

Kobler welcomed the resolution as “a clear and unambiguous statement of support” by the international community for the new Government, and he called on Libyan political actors to redouble efforts to swiftly implement it.

“The door is wide open for all those who still oppose the Libyan Political Agreement. All Libyans should play a role in the restarted Libyan transition. The opportunity to end the political and security crisis in Libya is now,” he said in a statement, stressing that uniting in support of the new Government will put Libya closer to fulfilling the people’s aspirations for peace and prosperity.

“This requires starting the hard work on Wednesday  to bring about a better life for all Libyans,” he added.

Photo: UNSMIL