Libya: amid political crisis, Security Council urges parties to endorse, sign deal for unity government

Concerned over Libya's ongoing political, security and institutional crises and the rising threat of terrorism, the United Nations Security Council today urged all Libyan stakeholders to endorse and sign the recent UN-facilitated political deal and to move swiftly towards forming a Government of National Accord.

“The Political Agreement for the Government of National Accord finalized by the Libyan parties in October offers a real prospect for resolving the situation,” said the members of the Council in a statement issued earlier this afternoon, in which they also noted that the agreement had been reached after comprehensive and broad consultations within the framework of the Libyan-led and Libyan-owned dialogue process facilitated by the UN.

Welcoming expressions of support by the Libyan parties plus a wide range of Libyan groups for the agreement and for the formation of a Government of National Accord, the Security Council urged all Libyan dialogue participants to endorse and sign the Political Agreement.

The Council called on all Libyan stakeholders to work swiftly towards the formation of a unity government “which will work for the benefit of all Libyans,” and expressed support for an inclusive process “that listens to and integrates Libyans from all communities and all parts of the country.”

The members of the Security Council encouraged the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to advance relevant efforts for co-ordination of international assistance to the future Government of National Accord.

Expressing concern about activities which could damage the integrity and unity of the Libyan State financial institutions and the National Oil Company, the Council also highlighted the importance of these institutions continuing to function for the benefit of all Libyans.

Concerned about the ongoing fighting, destruction and growing humanitarian toll in various parts of the country, Council members called for an immediate end of violence.

They condemned the continued attacks and repression by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant [ISIL], Ansar Al Charia, and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida operating in Libya, particularly in Sirte, and stressed in this regard the urgent need to deal with this threat effectively.

Libya has been plagued by factional fighting since the 2011 revolution, with the situation continuing to deteriorate in recent months amid significant political fragmentation and violence.

Following broad consultations facilitated by the Secretary-General's Special Representative and head of UNSMIL, Bernardino León, it was announced in mid-October that a national unity government could be proposed. The names of candidates for the government's top council were put forward but the deal stalled when some parties failed to sign off.

Mr. León, who will shortly leave his post, told the Council this past Thursday that “the magnitude of the dangers facing Libya should not be underestimated,” and that while he remains hopeful about the chances of Libya's leaders reaching a peaceful agreement, “I have had no illusions about the difficulties and challenges that would likely face the political dialogue process.”

He added that the growing influence of terrorist and other extremist groups is posing a direct threat to the very authority of the Libyan State, with “the cruelty and barbarity witnessed in areas under their control an omen of what may yet come unless there is united action to contain and eliminate this growing threat.”

Mr. León said UNSMIL continued to impress upon both the Libyan House of Representatives and the Tripoli-based General National Congress the need to urgently convene sessions that would allow for a democratic vote on the Political Agreement and proposals for the Presidency Council.