YouSaid · the spoken record

Agila Saleh Essa Gwaider

lines on the record: 38
first: 2014-09-24
most recent: 2015-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“We condemn all atrocities against the Syrian people and express our support for all international efforts aimed at finding a peaceful settlement that will affirm the rights of the Syrian people to live in a dignified and democratic system that respects human rights and fundamental freedoms. With regard to brotherly Yemen, we hope that the Arab coalition will restore security and stability to Yemen and help reach a peaceful solution to the crisis, under the supervision of its legitimate Government and on the basis of Security Council resolution 2216 (2015).”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“The occupation flies in the face of all international resolutions on the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, in particular on the right of return and the right to establish an independent State with full sovereignty over its territory, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Libya demands that the siege imposed on the Palestinian people be lifted and that they be provided with protection. The Israeli occupation authorities must be compelled to stop all acts of violence and intimidation against the Palestinian people and to comply with all international resolutions, especially with regard to the return of refugees to their homes and the cessation of settlement activities and of the repeated attacks against the holy sanctuary of Al-Haram Al-Sharif in Jerusalem.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“That can be achieved only by providing the legitimate Libyan Government with the capacity to extend its authority over all Libyan territory and to control its borders, including the necessary capacity-building assistance in that area, especially the arming of the Libyan army with the necessary equipment and training. 15-29568 19/33 A/70/PV.20 30/09/2015 Libya cautions against any foreign military activity conducted without its consent and control in Libyan territorial waters or within its exclusive economic zone that could harm fishing activities and lead to the plundering of its marine living resources. Peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved in the midst of the ongoing Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, which denies the rights of the Palestinian people and seeks in all possible ways to Judaize the city of Jerusalem.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“We also emphasize that the humanitarian crisis must be addressed comprehensively, in consultation with the countries of origin, transit and destination, and while taking into account the need to address the root causes of illegal migration in general and reasons for the large increase in the numbers of migrants passing through Libya in recent months. The security approach to the problem of migrant smuggling is insufficient. Libya believes that using force against smuggling boats off the Libyan coast may increase the complexity of the Libyan crisis, and will not contribute to reducing the migrant phenomenon.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“In that regard, we express our condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims. We reiterate Libya’s position in support of all international efforts seeking to reduce the risks to illegal migrants in the Mediterranean, based on respect for the principles of international law, particularly respect for sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States. We express Libya’s readiness to contribute, within the limits of its capacity, to prevent the smuggling of migrants and to rescue lives in the Mediterranean.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“In the case of the continued intransigence of the General National Congress in rejecting the agreement, the House of Representatives calls on the boycotting members to advance the national interests and the interests of their constituents on any and all matters. They are called upon to disassociate themselves from the extremist militias and to join the House of Representatives in order to participate in the selection of an inclusive Government of national accord that excludes the terrorist groups. We call on the international community to exercise influence in that direction. This year, the Mediterranean Sea has witnessed an unprecedented wave of illegal migration coming from Africa and Asia and heading towards Europe. Sadly, we have taken note of the loss of thousands of lives by drowning at sea.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“No agreement may be imposed on a future Government to take any step whatsoever in favour of any terrorist organization that has been listed by a Security Council sanctions committee. The war against terrorism in Benghazi, Derna and Sirte cannot be part of a ceasefire arrangement under the agreement, unless it includes surrender on the part of the terrorists and the turning in of their weapons. The House of Representatives hopes to receive a final draft of an agreement that does not reward the perpetrators of crimes, including the destruction of State property and forced, armed seizure of the capital.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“However, we have noticed increasingly intransigent positions and misinterpretations of the flexibility shown by the House of Representatives. It seems that such flexibility has been misunderstood, even by Mr. Bernadino León, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, who tried to bring us back to square one by unraveling all that had been achieved in the past 10 months through dialogue and negotiations. In that regard, I want to emphasize from this rostrum the following. The House of Representatives is committed to dialogue as an approach to resolving the security and institutional crisis in Libya, but it will not agree to any regression regarding that which has been approved by the majority so far.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“We appreciate the effort made by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya to facilitate dialogue among the Libyan parties and form a Government of national accord that represents all Libyans, while placing the national interests above all other considerations. The House of Representatives, as the legitimate authority elected by all Libyans, was and remains supportive of dialogue as a strategic option to resolve the political and security crisis in Libya. The House of Representatives made every possible concessions to encourage the illegitimate party to disassociate itself from terrorism and join the dialogue table, with the aim of sparing Libyans from more bloodshed and putting an end to the destruction of Libyan cities.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“I can assure the Assembly that nothing divides the Libyan people and that the vast majority is seeking any possible means to put an end to the unjustified fighting among brothers, and restore the security and stability of the country. Nevertheless, they are hostage to the armed groups, and thus unable to express their views. 18/33 15-29568 30/09/2015 A/70/PV.20 Hundreds of thousands of Libyans have become internally displaced persons or refugees aspiring to return to their homes as soon as possible. That could be fulfilled only through an agreement on a strong Government that enjoys the confidence of all Libyans, controls all of the Libyan territory and is supported by the international community.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“The terrorists view Libya as nothing more than a base camp rich with significant resources ripe for exploitation to finance its operations in North Africa and the Sahel region, as well as Europe, if they were to control it. All United Nations States Members should be aware of the gravity of the position taken by the Security Council. Therefore, with respect to matters of international peace and security, they should exercise pressure towards the lifting of the arms embargo on the Libyan army, accelerate the approval of the application for exemption from the arms embargo and provide assistance to the Libyan Government in the area of security, according to the provisions of Security Council resolution 2214 (2015).”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Unfortunately, some of the permanent members of the Council have justified such conduct as if to avoid a negative impact on the Libyan political dialogue, which we understand has led to a draft political agreement on 11 July that was accepted by the legitimate authority after it made significant concessions, and initialled by most of the parties involved. However, that same agreement has been rejected by the so-called General National Congress (GNC), which represents the militias that occupy Tripoli. Those militias are allied with Al-Qaida and Ansar Al-Sharia, supporting them with arms and fighters in the war against the Libyan army that is taking place in the cities of Benghazi and Derna. The threat of terrorism on the part of the Islamic State, Al-Qaida and Ansar Al-Sharia is not limited only to Libya.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Furthermore, they have facilitated the arrival of foreign fighters in Benghazi, Sirte and Derna, to participate in the fighting against the Libyan army, which is locked in a fierce war to rid Libya of terrorism by whatever modest means it has at its disposal. The efforts of the Libyan authorities in the fight against terrorism and to protect Libya from terrorist attacks is being hampered by external support for terrorism activities, in addition to the continuing arms embargo and the insistence of the Security Council in contradicting its decisions by its non-approval of the Libyan Government’s requests for an exemption from the arms embargo, in order to arm the Libyan army.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“However, that ideology has been totally rejected and resisted by the Libyan people by way of every force available under the leadership of the legitimate authorities, represented by the elected House of Representatives and its duly formed Government. Those groups have been and remain an essential part of the militia alliance of Libya Dawn, which has seized the capital, Tripoli, and repeatedly announced that it will continue to support Ansar Al-Sharia in Benghazi, while describing them as revolutionaries. We realize that all of those terrorist and extremist groups are nothing but tools to implement the policies of foreign countries that have persisted in providing them with arms and ammunition.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“During the past year, Libya has witnessed the emergence of the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, or Daesh, an outcome of and ally to Ansar al-Sharia, which asserts control over the towns of Derna and Sirte, with a view to taking the two towns as starting points to assert full control throughout Libya and to exploit Libya’s resources to finance the establishment of an extremist entity that refuses to recognize the national State and fights against democracy. That entity harbours the aim of extending from Mauritania to Bangladesh, thereby subjecting the entire region to the law of the jungle, while claiming to follow the law of Islam.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“However, the spread of weapons and armed groups, some of which have turned to criminal and terrorist behaviour, in addition to the country’s exploitation by some people with personal interests, have all resulted in the spread of chaos in the country and weakened the central authority. In addition, that spread has constituted a real threat to democratic transformation and has encouraged the emergence of terrorist organizations and the recruitment of additional foreign terrorist fighters.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Although armed conflicts between nations 15-29568 17/33 A/70/PV.20 30/09/2015 have been reduced, ideological, ethnic and sectarian conflicts within States continue to spread dramatically. That spread is accompanied by unprecedented violations of human rights over and above the spread of terrorist organizations. The emergence of terrorism is a key driver of conflict and instability in many countries, especially in the Middle East and Africa. We in Libya represent a fledgling democracy seeking to find its way in order to take hold as an added value in the minds of the people and to transform the country into one with transparent, democratic, effective and stable institutions.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“It is also the biggest challenge we face in an evolving world that is confronted by new complications, such as terrorism, the proliferation of armed conflicts, natural disasters and climate change. All these result in humanitarian crises that have manifested themselves in different forms, such as refugees, internally displaced persons and illegal immigrants. Today, the United Nations Member States are in need more than ever of consultation, cooperation and mutual assistance to address common challenges and to ensure a better future for the generations to come. The Charter of the United Nations stipulates that the Organization was established to save future generations from the scourge of war. However, that goal remains elusive.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“As the General Assembly gathers this year, we celebrate the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations. Certainly, we have accomplished a lot during the past 70 years in the economic field, in the protection of human rights and in the maintenance of international peace and security. However, the Organization also experienced failures because of the lack of appropriate structures to effectively deal with the continuous increase in the magnitude and number of challenges as well as their nature, compared to those that existed at the founding of the United Nations. It goes without saying that the maintenance of international peace and security remains the first priority for the Organization.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“The international community should be committed to the reconstruction of Gaza, preventing the recurrence of destruction and killing by the Israeli army, ensuring the prosecution of all those responsible for war crimes committed in the Gaza Strip and supporting the efforts of the Government of national reconciliation, led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“We call for the Security Council to provide protection for the Palestinian people, set a timetable to end the Israeli occupation and establish an independent and sovereign Palestinian State on all the Palestinian territories, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Palestinian State should be a full member of all international organizations. Palestinian refugees should be entitled to return to their lands, from which they were expelled. The continued blockade and repeated Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip and the destruction of infrastructure have brought shame on civilized human beings.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“We also look forward to the assistance of all countries in tracing looted funds abroad and repatriating them to enable Libya to increase funding for development and infrastructure programmes. That will help eliminate unemployment and absorb a large numbers of foreign workers, estimated at several millions, from neighbouring countries. Both Libya and the neighbouring countries would benefit, and illegal immigration to Europe of people in search of work and decent living conditions would be reduced. Despite the circumstances in Libya, we cannot forget the tragedy of the Palestinian people and their suffering. They have taken refuge in various countries around the world because of the Israeli occupation. We reaffirm our condemnation of the Israeli occupation and its practices in the Palestinian and Arab occupied territories.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“However, the deteriorating security situation has disrupted the economy. I would like to note the close interlinkages among security, stability and development. Without security, there will be no development, and vice versa. Therefore, restoring security and stability in Libya is key to advancing development, bringing the disrupted economy back on track, achieving the remaining Millennium Development Goals and preparing to achieve the post-2015 development goals, once they are adopted. Libya looks forward to the support of the United Nations and friendly countries in restoring security and the capacity-building of military and security institutions in order to ensure the launch of programmes for reconstruction and development.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Fourthly, we must establish genuine, active cooperation in combating terrorism through a strategic alliance between Libya and its neighbouring countries north and south of the Mediterranean. Lastly, we must strengthen the culture of dialogue, without exclusion or marginalization, and, with the help of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, the neighbouring countries, the League of Arab States and the African Union, initiate a comprehensive dialogue for all Libyan people. As the General Assembly begins its deliberations at its sixty-ninth session, whose main theme is the post- 2015 development agenda, I would like to point out that when the Millennium Development Goals were set, Libya started to review its economic policies and restructure its economy to achieve them.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“We hope that the international community will help us to carry out the following measures. First, we must ensure the establishment by the State of defence and security organs and make the Government the sole, legitimate authority capable of using force in disarming the armed groups and exercising its authority over all Libya’s territory. Secondly, we must ensure Government control over the capital, Tripoli, and the withdrawal of armed groups from State institutions so that officials can work without being threatened and provide services to the citizens. Thirdly, we must realize that the establishment of illegal institutions set up in parallel with the existing bodies is impeding the political process and is subject to sanctions under Security Council resolution 2174 (2014).”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“We wish that the Government did not need the assistance of brotherly and friendly countries to extend State authority over its territory and eliminate the terrorism and criminality that threaten Libya’s security and unity, causing the displacement of hundreds of thousands from their homes in various parts of Libya and destroying the economy. The House of Representatives and the Government are determined to pursue the path of dialogue and tolerance within the framework of legitimacy, solve all the problems and differences between Libyans, agree on priorities, respect the democratic process and re-establish the rule of law and the holding of elections. They are also determined to demobilize all armed groups and to stop their funding by the end of the current year.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Every illegitimate contact, unauthorized by the Government, of any foreign country with individuals, groups and organizations that do not recognize the Government’s authority or that of the elected House of Representatives and that use violence as a means to impose their views on the Libyan people will be considered by the Government an unfriendly act against the unity and stability of Libya. Hence, all necessary measures will be taken to confront it. The Libyan people, under the leadership of the legitimate authority, will not submit to blackmail and intimidation and will resist any attempt to impose a totalitarian dictatorship, whatever its slogan.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“We welcome all efforts and goodwill by friendly countries, the United Nations, the League of Arab States and the African Union to help the legitimate Libyan authorities regain control, either by taking a bold stand with the House of Representatives, the Government and the constitution-drafting body and by persuading armed groups to give up their arms, withdraw from State institutions and obey the Government’s directions, or by exerting pressure on the political movements and armed groups so that they renounce violence and agree to a dialogue on the priorities and future of Libya.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“That front cannot be eliminated without an alliance of the States concerned to ensure the elimination of terrorism and guarantee the dissemination of the principles of tolerance and democracy. The failure to provide arms and training to the Libyan army in its war against terrorism serves the interests of extremism, adds to instability in Libya, disrupts calm in the region and threatens global peace.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“The international community can either stand with the elected legitimate authorities and implement Security Council resolution 2174 (2014) by imposing sanctions on those who impede the political process, undermine security and seize State institutions, or affirm loudly and clearly that the Libyans have to take on terrorism single-handedly. Surely, the international community must take action to withstand the effects of the expansion of terrorism in North Africa and the Sahel region. We are in need of substantial assistance from Libya’s friends — help in rebuilding the army and providing it with all it needs to stop the fighting among brothers and battle terrorism and extremism, which now form a broad front stretching from Iraq to Algeria.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“It has provided a safe haven and training camps for terrorists from all over the world, including Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt and Mali, with unrivalled financial and media support from outside the country, in order to undermine the legitimate Libyan authorities and enable it to implement its conspiracy. I wish the Assembly to know that turning a blind eye to terrorism in Libya is no longer acceptable. Our people can no longer tolerate assassinations, humiliation, intimidation, suppression of freedoms or human rights violations based on an individual’s background and belief.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“It has also persecuted political activists, human rights defenders and journalists, shut down media channels and forcibly prevented opponents from demonstrating in the city of Tripoli and other cities. It has recruited media personnel and some radical clerics to incite the killing of those with different opinions and those who support the elected House of Representatives and the Government. The group has allied itself with Ansar Al-Sharia, which professes the ideology of Al-Qaida. It has practised terrorism in some Libyan cities, especially Benghazi and Derna.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“That could not have happened if the international community had taken the situation in Libya seriously, assisted the Government in establishing a strong army, exerted pressure to ensure the disarmament of armed groups and supported the arming of the police. The armed groups that captured the capital have clearly declared their opposition to the legitimate institutions of the State and their quest to overthrow the elected House of Representatives and the elected Government, in an apparent effort to derail the process of democratic transition and topple the legitimate authorities by forming a parallel Government. Furthermore, that has not sufficed for the group that controls Tripoli.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Those included a terrorist group that professes Al-Qaida ideology and is known for its stand against the building of State institutions — a group placed on the list of terrorist organizations by the United States and the European Union. Moreover, the residences of many ministers and citizens were looted and burned down. That group is still waging war on the region west of the city of Tripoli, inhabited by the Warshafana tribe. The indiscriminate shelling with heavy weaponry led to the exodus of most of its population, which then led the House of Representatives to declare it a disaster area.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Most of the activists have left the political arena, either because of the forcibly imposed political isolation law or because of the campaigns of intimidation, arrests and assassinations perpetrated by various armed groups against anyone who opposes their views or calls for their disarmament and demobilization. Some armed groups are no longer subject to the Government’s direction as they try to impose their will on the Libyan people by force, violate human rights and blackmail the Government to gain access to funds, while they refuse to arm the police and to reinstitute, reconstruct and arm the army. The existing conflict in and around Tripoli among armed groups that opposed the legitimate authorities has forced the Government to evacuate all of its premises, which were seized by a coalition of armed groups.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Where are the unarmed revolutionaries who flocked into the streets, facing bullets with their bare chests to defend their rights? Where are the intellectuals who flooded the media with realistic assessments and convinced the world of the justice of their people’s cause? I would say, yes, that was the true Libyan people. They did not think in terms of material gains or leadership positions. Their only aspiration was to put an end to dictatorship and pave the road for democracy to ensure a prosperous future for all Libyans. Unfortunately, Libya today is in a completely different situation.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“I am honoured to stand before members today as the representative of the Libyan people to describe their ambitions, pains and hopes, to participate in the quest for the best ways to maintain peace and security on our planet and to achieve the common aspirations of our peoples. There is no doubt that those who witnessed the revolution of the Libyan people against dictatorship in 2011 were impressed by the courage, unity, awareness and creative capabilities of our people. But today there is no doubt that many are astonished by events in Libya — the fighting, the bloodshed among brothers, the unjustified destruction of infrastructure and public and private property. Many may wonder, where are the people they saw three years ago?”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“At the outset, I would like to express my sincerest congratulations to Mr. Sam Kutesa on his assumption of the presidency of the General Assembly at its sixty-ninth session. I am confident that he will steer the work of this session towards the best results. Allow me also to commend the efforts of Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, for achieving the objectives of the Organization and for promoting international peace and security. I would like to thank him in particular for standing with the Libyan people during the revolution against the dictatorship and for providing support for our nascent democracy after the revolution.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)