YouSaid · the spoken record

Mitri

lines on the record: 202
first: 2006-07-31
most recent: 2014-08-27
sittings or episodes: 14
sources: un-security-council

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

“Finally, I would like to thank the Council for its support during the two years of my tenure, which will end very soon. I would also like to express warm words of appreciation to all the UNSMIL and United Nations staff in Libya, national and international, for the indefatigable spirit they have shown in spite of the enormous problems they have encountered and the risks to their personal safety and security in carrying out their work.”
2014-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7251 (2014) · source
“Its progress is conditional on the upholding of the principles of pluralism, inclusivity, the separation of powers and adherence to agreed democratic values and norms. Many Libyans continue to be sceptical about the political process in their country, and frustrated with their political elites. Low participation in the two most recent elections is an indication of the erosion of such credibility. Disappointment, aggravated by the suffering and fear provoked by armed confrontations, increases the risk ofa major setback for Libya. A large number of Libyans, distressed or disillusioned, are contacting and writing to us. But many others refuse to be discouraged. We cannot shy away from supporting all of them - both the disappointed and the determined - in this difficult period of their country's history.”
2014-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7251 (2014) · source
“The Libyan experience illustrates the fact that transition is fraught with great risks, some of which are owed to perceived conflicting interests and mutual fears - the legacy of more than four decades of despotic rule - as well as to reactivated enmities and reinvented hatreds in the struggle for power. Those risks also include the possibility of Libya's future being affected by regional polarization and proxy rivalries. The threat of the changes that the revolution initiated being derailed is most likely growing. The descent into more instability and greater uncertainty cannot be reversed unless various actors in Libya's public life commit, in words and deeds, to a democratic political process. That process cannot be reduced to the ballot box and the emergence of numerical majorities and minorities.”
2014-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7251 (2014) · source
“National ownership is not only about ensuring that United Nations actions accord with Libyan strategies; it also requires Libya's continued and lasting receptivity to subsequent advice and technical assistance. In addition, Libyan national ownership involves making a consistent effort to ensure the effective coordination of international support. In its mandate for UNSMIL the Council asks the Mission to play a leading role in that regard, but its success has been limited. It is important that we see Libya playing a coherent role in enabling concerted efforts. No less important is the willingness of all friends of Libya to allow their activities to be better coordinated. As elsewhere in the region, radical transformations have opened up new opportunities and raised hopes.”
2014-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7251 (2014) · source
“The main and recurrent demand is to see the United Nations contribute more effectively to the protection of the civilian population. There may be broad support in Libya for an enhanced United Nations presence, but clarity on the modalities and type of support that is to be realistically expected is still lacking. Moreover, there is a great need to seriously address Libyan misperceptions as a condition for greater United Nations engagement in Libya. Once again, we have been asked to play a greater role in institution-building. An adequate response would necessitate further developing UNSMIL's capacities. But that is not in itself a guarantee of the achievement desired. Previous experience tells us that, without collective Libyan political will and clearly defined national priorities, UNSMIL is likely to face difficulties in implementation.”
2014-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7251 (2014) · source
“Every unsuccessful dialogue initiative is a lost opportunity in Libya. We need to remind Libyan political leaders and brigade commanders that dialogue remains the only alternative to a protracted armed confrontation. No military solution is possible, and the present impasse will be deepened further by the use of force. Although the horizon for a political agreement seems distant, the United Nations needs to spare no effort to bring various actors to the dialogue table. Intimidation and defamation should not distract us from the obligation of being an impartial mediator. With the exception of a minority suspicious of, or hostile to, the role of the United Nations in Libya, there is broad-based acceptance of UNSMIL's presence, as well as high expectations.”
2014-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7251 (2014) · source
“I welcome also the recent statements by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court and by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reminding all parties to the conflict that perpetrators of crimes against civilians, as well as those who order or fail to stop them, are liable for prosecution, as are those who incite violence. The threat from the spread of terrorist groups has become real. Their presence and activities in a number of Libyan cities are known to all. At present, the chaotic security situation and the very limited capacity of the Government to counter that threat may well have created fertile ground for mounting danger in Libya and beyond. In my previous briefing I qualified the aborted 18 and 19 June political dialogue meeting, which I had intended to convene, as a missed opportunity.”
2014-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7251 (2014) · source
“Developments on the battlefield in Libya over the past few weeks are a source of grave concern. In particular, we strongly condemn the indiscriminate shelling. Those responsible for the loss of civilian lives and for the destruction of private property and public infrastructure, as well as those responsible for any ill-treatment and torture of prisoners, must be held accountable. Of particular concern are reports from Derna that an extremist group has conducted summary trials and executions outside the judicial system. In that regard, I welcome the declaration, on 17 August, by the Libyan General Prosecutor of his intention to investigate crimes committed during the recent fighting in Tripoli. I urge his office to initiate impartial investigations, even in the absence of formal complaints.”
2014-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7251 (2014) · source
“I believe resolution 2174 (2014) has just done that, while also underlining the need for constructive engagement on their part with a United Nations-facilitated political dialogue. On 4 August, we attended the inaugural session of the newly elected house of representatives in Tobruk. Regrettably, many efforts, including ours, to arrive at an agreement over procedural and related issues failed to ensure the full participation of all elected members. A number of representatives decided to boycott the sessions. While underlining the importance of safeguarding Libya's fragile transition, with the house of representatives as the only legitimately elected legislature, we also affirmed that every effort must be exerted to enable parliamentarians who are boycotting the house of representatives to join their colleagues.”
2014-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7251 (2014) · source
“On 7 August, a small team led by my deputy travelled to Tripoli to explore options for an unconditional ceasefire. The visit to Libya was facilitated by the Italian Embassy, and I would like to thank Italy for its generosity. During 12 days, the delegation met with a wide range of political and military actors. While all engaged constructively with regard to our proposals, it is very clear that much more work is needed to overcome mistrust among the parties to the conflict. While the Mission intends to build on those talks, we believe that a clear message needs to be sent to the warring parties to remind them of their obligations under international humanitarian law.”
2014-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7251 (2014) · source
“In the east, fighting continues between two coalitions of forces comprised of Libya Shield units, armed brigades and the Ansar Al-Sharia extremist group, on the one hand, and forces allied to general Khalifa Haftar and the Army Special Forces, on the other. The violence has resulted in a significant number of civilian casualties. When I last briefed the Council, I reported on the evacuation of international staff members of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) as a result ofthe escalating conflict and the fighting in and around the Janzour area, where our premises are located. We continue to stress that this is a temporary measure and that staff will be redeployed once security conditions permit. Notwithstanding that measure, the Mission has remained closely engaged with developments in Libya.”
2014-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7251 (2014) · source
“The departure of foreign medical staff and shortages in medical supplies have rendered the plight of civilians more critical. A rise in criminality has contributed to a further worsening of the situation. It is also likely that the fighting will result in the disperal of explosive remnants of war and unexploded ordnance, posing a further threat to civilians. The use by all sides of heavy weapons in densely populated areas has spread terror and contributed to a growing number of innocent lives lost, including those of children. In addition, there have been many cases of kidnapping, the burning of houses, looting and other acts of revenge. The damage inflicted on public infrastructure in Tripoli's southern and western sections - including the airport, the main oil depot and roads and bridges - is nothing less than tragic.”
2014-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7251 (2014) · source
“The General National Congress, the tenure of which expired at the election of the new house of representatives, designated Omar Al-Hasi as Prime Minister and asked him to form a "national salvation" Government. Since my last briefing to the Council, on 17 July, (see S/PV.7218) armed battles, inflamed by air strikes, continued almost uninterrupted in Tripoli, Benghazi and other parts of the country. In Tripoli, we have seen an unprecedented movement of population in an attempt to escape the fighting. Conservative figures of those displaced are estimated at over 100,000, with at least another 150,000, including many migrant workers, having fled the country to seek refuge abroad. There is a general deterioration in living conditions. Food, fuel, water and electricity are in short supply.”
2014-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7251 (2014) · source
“Mr. Mitri: In recent days, armed confrontations, which are both the cause and the result of the deep divisions among Libyan political factions, have been unprecedented in their gravity and, to be sure, very alarming. The bone of representatives has resolved that groups fighting under the name of Fajr Libya - Libya's Dawn ~ and Ansar Al-Sharia are terrorists and outlaws. The Fajr Libya coalition charged that the transitional Government and the newly elected house of representatives violated the constitutional declaration and lost legitimacy, considering their call for foreign intervention an act of treason. They asked the former General National Congress to convene.”
2014-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7251 (2014) · source
“It has become clear that border control measures are not sufficient to address this issue and that urgent action is needed to reduce the use of detention and to improve conditions in detention centres. Furthermore, the role of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees would need to be formalized, and a registration and status-determination process for refugees should be introduced without delay.”
2014-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7218 (2014) · source
“I would like, finally, to take this opportunity today to highlight the ongoing plight of an ever increasing number of migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees who continue to undertake the perilous sea journey in their quest to reach Europe from Libya. Moreover, thousands of migrants in Libya continue to face widespread and prolonged detention, usually with no means to challenge their detention. They are held in extremely poor conditions, characterized by chronic overcrowding and a lack of basic sanitary conditions. There is also ill- treatment and work exploitation. In the absence of a proper protection framework in Libya, this detention practice tends to fuel human trafficking towards Europe.”
2014-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7218 (2014) · source
“I take this opportunity to underscore the need for proper legal representation for all defendants, as well as for complete access by the defence counsel to clients and case files. In this regard, I would like to point out that both Saif Al-Islam Al-Qadhafi and Abdullah Al-Senussi have been unable to access the legal counsel representing them before the International Criminal Court. This is of particular concern given the 31 May decision of the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court, which upheld the admissibility of the case against Saif Al-Islam Al-Qadhafi. The Court has confirmed that Libya must hand over Saif Al-Islam Al-Qadhafi, while also noting that it is considering the case of Mr. Al-Senussi. Libya remains under an obligation to cooperate with the Court.”
2014-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7218 (2014) · source
“Following consultations, including with the international special envoys, I decided to postpone the convening ofa political dialogue meeting. Regrettably, an opportunity was missed and, with the present armed confrontation continuing it may become more difficult to bring conflicting forces to the dialogue table. The United Nations, and other international or regional actors, have called for a cessation ofviolence. UNSMIL continues to have contacts with various parties and groups in an attempt at de-escalation. Since my last briefing, UNSMIL has resumed attending the trial sessions in Tripoli of Saif Al-Islam Al-Qadhafi, Abdullah Al-Senussi and 35 other persons associated with the former regime. The trial so far has dealt primarily with procedural issues relating to access to defence counsel.”
2014-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7218 (2014) · source
“In preparing for this meeting, which we had hoped would be in the form of a political dialogue to take place a week ahead of the legislative elections on 18 and 19 June, UNSMIL consulted closely with all the major Libyan parties and groups, in addition to the Government and with the special envoys for Libya, on arrangements and possible results. Preliminary drafts of preparatory documents were leaked, distorted and misinterpreted by some media outlets. More importantly, some major participants, who had initially given a positive response, expressed their reluctance to engage in what they thought was an untimely dialogue that would benefit their political opponents. The media controversy - some had turned to defamation against me - reduced further the possibility of convening a dialogue ahead of the parliamentary elections.”
2014-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7218 (2014) · source
“Following the announcement of preliminary results on 6 July, 41 candidates were disqualified in accordance with the Law on Political and Administrative Isolation. Final results are expected on 20 July. In my briefing to the Council last month, I spoke of my intention to convene a meeting that would bring together representatives of the major Libyan actors with the aim of forging an agreement on a number of issues central to the transition process. These would have included principles of political interaction, national priorities for the remainder of the transitional period, and ways of addressing inunediate security and other divisive issues.”
2014-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7218 (2014) · source
“A little more than 40 per cent of the 1.5 million registered Libyans went to the polls on election day to elect from among the 1,714 candidates. Ninety- seven per cent of polling centres opened their doors for voting; there was no polling, however, in the eastern city of Derna; some of the components constituencies - "components" is the word we use to designate ethnic or cultural minorities - in areas to the west of Tripoli, as well as in Kufra, boycotted the elections. Polling in some 24 centres across the country was impacted by acts of Violence, notably in Benghazi, Sabha, Al-Zawiya, Sirte and Awbari. One candidate was killed. Due to disruption in polling, a total of 12 seats representing six sub-constituencies will remain vacant until polling takes place in those areas.”
2014-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7218 (2014) · source
“On 13 and 14 July, two large groups of international staff were evacuated by road to Tunisia in convoys of armoured vehicles, leaving a small group of staff in Tripoli. That is a temporary move and will be reviewed as soon as there is an improvement in security. The Libyan authorities were informed and expressed their full understanding of the move. The unfolding military developments in Tripoli over the past couple of weeks have cast a shadow over the election on 25 June of the 200-member council of representatives that will replace the General National Congress. Unlike the previous legislative elections in 2012, the electoral law did not have any provision for proportional representation of political parties. Candidates had to run on individual basis. Thirty-two of the Council seats were reserved for women.”
2014-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7218 (2014) · source
“In view of the deteriorating situation in the capital and the closure of Tripoli's international airport, the increased security risk faced by UNSMIL and the implications for the ability of its staff to carry out their work, a decision was taken first to reduce and later to withdraw the international staff in the country. It was not an easy decision. We made it clear that it would not be possible for UNSMIL to carry out its work while, at the same time, ensuring the safety and security of our 160 international staff present in Tripoli. The risk was such that staff was ordered to move between their accommodation and offices wearing body armour and helmets, which is an unprecedented measure for us in Tripoli. As a result, staff were confined to the compound for days.”
2014-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7218 (2014) · source
“On the day of the elections, a prominent human rights and political activist, Salwa Bughaigis, was stabbed and shot dead in her Benghazi residence. Her husband, who was with her, has gone missing and their guard was subsequently killed in custody. The assassination was very shocking, even for a country that has been witnessing daily violence. The recent fighting in Tripoli and around the international airport has brought the war closer to the UNSMIL compound, which has taken direct hits from medium- and high-calibre machine guns. We have been at grave risk of being caught up in a military showdown amid indications and warnings that the fighting around our compound would intensify.”
2014-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7218 (2014) · source
“I will leave it to Minister Abdulaziz to elaborate further on the Government's call. As the number of military actors mobilizing and consolidating their presence within the capital continues to grow, there is a mounting sense of a probable imminent and significant escalation in the conflict. The stakes are high for all sides. In eastern Libya, there has been a marked escalation of confrontation in the past couple of days. Benghazi's international airport has been repeatedly shelled and is not operational. Against the backdrop of the continued military operations between the forces under the command of retired army general Khalifa Haftar and those groups that he has labelled as terrorists, the campaign of assassinations and abductions targeting civic and political activists, as well as security and judicial personnel, has been unforgiving.”
2014-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7218 (2014) · source
“What initially started as a minor incident on 5 July between elements from rival brigades at a checkpoint in the Janzour area of Tripoli, where the compound of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) is located, rapidly escalated into a series of major clashes across a number of areas in the capital. Much of the fighting within the past week has focused on attempts by different armed groups to assert control over Tripoli's international airport. The battles have caused disruption to air traffic and all air travel through the airport has since been suspended. A call from the country's interim Government for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire has so far gone unheeded. The Government is also calling for the international community to take a strong stance.”
2014-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7218 (2014) · source
“Mr. Mitri: When I last briefed the Council six weeks ago (see S/PV.7194), I referred to the growing fear among Libyans about the prospect of a protracted conflict. The quick pace with which developments have unfolded in Tripoli over the past couple of weeks are a reflection of the deeply fractured political scene that continues to hang heavily over the country, undermining the fledgling political process. In fact, we are in the middle of an all-out confrontation between two major rival groups in the Libyan capital. That confrontation, born out of the deep political polarization, is playing itselfout at the country's international airport.”
2014-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7218 (2014) · source
“The stakes are high, and we will spare no effort in helping prevent Libya's descent into greater instability and violence.”
2014-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7194 (2014) · source
“To that end, I have redoubled my efforts to urge all parties in Libya to resolve the present political impasse through peaceful means, and to impress upon them that resorting to the use of force will have disastrous consequences for the country. Following consultations with all concerned parties, I will be convening, within the next 10 days, a meeting that will bring together some 50 representatives of the major actors - political leaders, revolutionaries, tribal figures, civil society, personalities and women. The aim of that political dialogue conference is to forge an agreement on the principles of political interaction, on national priorities during the remainder of the transition and on ways of addressing immediate security and otherwise divisive issues.”
2014-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7194 (2014) · source
“Assistance is given to the Ministry ofDefence committee in preparing a defence policy and strategy and in ensuring proper management and security of arms and ammunition. However, the Rome security compact also included measures to establish proper governance of the security sector, a recommendation we have made time and again, including the difficult issues of disarmament and reintegration of the armed groups. So far there has not been any sustainable progress in that regard. Today the United Nations is called on to continue facilitating a political dialogue among all parties. That is more crucial than ever before.”
2014-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7194 (2014) · source
“More recently, on 4 June four UNSMIL staff members, upon their return from Al-Bayda, were detained by the airport security authorities and ill- treated. During their detention, which lasted more than an hour, false accusations against them once again were cited. Their release occurred after the intervention of the Ministry of the Interior, at my request. I protested and reminded the Libyan authorities, once again, of their obligation to respect the mission agreement signed with UNSMIL. The current situation in Libya has inevitably slowed the process of security sector rebuilding and reform. Nonetheless, there has been some progress in developing the operationalization of the Rome conference security compact.”
2014-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7194 (2014) · source
“UNSMIL, however, has been denied access to other detainees held in the Al-Hadba prison on grounds that they have not been charged. I have strongly protested the brief detention in Al-Hadba of an UNSMIL senior staff member attending, as an observer, the trial session of 11 May and the false accusations levelled against him. UNSMIL received oral apologies and assurances from the Libyan authorities of their commitments to respecting the status-of-mission agreement between Libya and the United Nations. However, the personal effects of our staff have not been returned. Therefore, I decided to suspend the attendance of our staff at other trials in Al-Hadba until the case of our colleague is fully resolved.”
2014-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7194 (2014) · source
“Figures collected by the Ministry of Justice, with United Nations assistance, indicate that in early March around 6,200 inmates remained held in facilities under the authority of the judicial police, of whom only about 10 per cent had been tried. The trial of 37 former regime officials, including Saif Al-Islam Al-Qadhafi and Abdullah Al-Senussi, has begun at the Tripoli Court of Appeals. That trial is a crucial test for Libya's willingness and ability to conduct fair trials. UNSMIL has voiced concerns about difficulties in ensuring full legal representation for all defendants and proper access by lawyers to the case files and to their clients. Recently, the Court appears to be in the process of addressing such matters. UNSMIL has visited all defendants, with various levels of supervision, in Tripoli, as well as in Misrata and Zintan.”
2014-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7194 (2014) · source
“It is hoped that the elections will augur, with confidence and popular interest, a third phase of the transition process before a new constitution is approved. The security situation continues to impede the proper functioning of the justice system. Courts have stopped working for prolonged periods in Derna, Benghazi and Sirte in protest at the continuing attacks on prosecutors and judges, among other State officials. Although the General National Congress extended to 2 April the deadline for completing the judicial screening of detainees in compliance with the law on transitional justice, that task remains outstanding.”
2014-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7194 (2014) · source
“In joint partnership with a range of women's organizations, UNMSIL has launched a women's dialogue initiative to engage with the media and religious, political and societal actors in a public debate on constitutional issues of particular significance to women. The High National Election Commission of Libya is now preparing, with United Nations technical support, the election of the 200-member council of representatives that will succeed the General National Congress. The total number of registered voters reached 1.5 million. A total of 1,714 candidates have registered, including 152 women, contesting 32 reserved seats. Polling is expected on 25 June. We have called on all parties to ensure that elections are held in a peaceful atmosphere and not delayed.”
2014-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7194 (2014) · source
“The Assembly is currently developing its committee structure, work plans and public outreach plans. UNSMIL stands ready to provide technical assistance at the request of the Assembly and continues its efforts to coordinate international support for the constitutional process. In my most recent briefing, I described how boycotts and security problems disrupted the election of the Constitutional Drafting Assembly in February and left 13 seats unfilled. In the intervening period, eight of those seats have been filled through additional rounds of polling. Efforts by the Assembly itself are under way to ensure that all areas of Libya and all components - as they call them in Libya - of Libyan society are represented in the work of the Assembly.”
2014-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7194 (2014) · source
“Strong political disagreement over the functioning of institutions and their legitimacy has revealed mutual distrust among the main political protagonists. The radicalization of positions on both sides of the political divide was further exacerbated by accusations of seeking power by all means and suspicions of growing external interference in favour of the adverse party. Notwithstanding the political and security crisis that has engulfed Libya, the constitutional process has made considerable progress since my briefing to the Council in March (see S/PV.7130). On 21 April, the General National Congress convened the first session of the Constitutional Drafting Assembly in Al-Bayda. Following an opening ceremony, the members elected their chair, deputy chair and rapporteur and adopted rules of procedure.”
2014-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7194 (2014) · source
“There should be an end to the violence inflicted on the civilian population of Benghazi. There is no doubt about that. That is why the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) reiterates its condemnation of attacks against civilians, whoever their perpetrators. In Tripoli, the crisis over the appointment of a new Prime Minister has accentuated since February the strong political polarization in the country. Tensions have given way to intermittent clashes on the streets of the capital between rival brigades and other armed groups under the nominal control of the Libyan authorities. On 18 May, armed groups forcibly entered the grounds of the General National Congress in order to prevent the Congress from pressing ahead with the election of a new Prime Minister.”
2014-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7194 (2014) · source
“But there are also those who accuse General Haftar of seeking to unseat the legitimately elected institutions of the State and using the threat of terrorism as a pretext to stage what they call a coup d'e'tat. In previous briefings to the Council, I could not understate the risks of the growing and dangerous security void in Libya. Hundreds of Libyan citizens - mainly security personnel, but also judges, journalists and other civilians - have been the victims of a systematic and unrelenting campaign of targeted assassinations and other acts of aggression. However, any viable long-term strategy aimed at addressing that phenomenon and rooting out terrorism cannot be born out of unilateral and external initiatives, nor can it be limited to military solutions.”
2014-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7194 (2014) · source
“The second deputy president of the Congress, Salah Makhzoum, and Maiteeq himself both announced separately that they will comply with the decision. Also, there were significant security developments in the past few weeks. Foremost among those have been the move by retired general Khalifa Haftar in mid-May to mobilize some units of the Libyan national army and other tribally affiliated armed groups against groups that he has labelled as terrorists and blamed for much of the violence and targeted assassinations in Benghazi and other areas of eastern Libya. The military operation, dubbed Operation Libya Dignity, elicited some expressions of support.”
2014-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7194 (2014) · source
“Mr. Mitri: There is a continuing sense of concern among the Libyan people regarding the prospect of a protracted conflict. The crisis that has dominated the political scene for the past few months poses athreat to the country's political transition. Following a decision by the General National Congress to endorse the new Cabinet of Mr. Ahmed Maiteeq on 26 May, the Government of Abdallah al-Thani, acting as caretaker, refused to hand over power, citing procedural irregularities. This morning, Libya's Supreme Court ruled that the election of Mr. Maiteeq was unconstitutional, opening a way out ofthe institutional crisis. The need to respect that ruling should be affirmed. The initial reaction in Tripoli, half an hour ago, to the court ruling is positive.”
2014-06-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7194 (2014) · source
“Support to Libya, however, can be meaningful and effective only if there is unequivocal commitment on the part of Libya's leaders to this goal and a political will to resolve, through dialogue and concerted efforts, the major problems of the country.”
2014-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7130 (2014) · source
“In addition to advice and technical assistance, there has been special attention given to developing national programmes to control arms and ammunition stockpiles, heavy weapons and small arms and light weapons. I am pleased to report that the Government has responded positively and taken steps to create a structure to address those issues. International and well-coordinated support to Libya is vital. In that regard, I welcome the holding and results of the Rome conference, held on 6 March with the participation of a large number of countries, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, neighbouring countries and other friends of Libya. The people of Libya expect that the international community will assist them in the difficult task of building a State with strong and accountable institutions.”
2014-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7130 (2014) · source
“Efforts to strengthen the State's ability to assume its security responsibilities continue to be hindered by the absence of a political agreement over the rebuilding of a national army, the integration of revolutionary fighters and the collection ofweapons. A solution to that problem will require a clear strategy and the provision of a number of assurances to the revolutionaries, who are only nominally under State authority. That will include a recognition of their contributions to the revolution and safeguards for their legitimate rights and interests. Despite a number of systemic problems, efforts by the United Nations persevere.”
2014-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7130 (2014) · source
“The law was criticised by many Libyans as incompatible with Libya's Constitutional Declaration and its international human rights obligations. We have called upon the General National Congress to bring the law in line with international human rights standards. On 2 March, the 90-day deadline set by the law on transitional justice for completing the screening of detainees expired. Initial figures suggest that the process has yet to be completed. UNSMIL remains concerned about reports of continuing torture, deaths in custody, kidnapping and secret detentions by brigades nominally affiliated to the Ministries of Justice or Defence. The handover of all detainees to the effective control of the State is a prerequisite for the establishment of the rule of law in the country.”
2014-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7130 (2014) · source
“Security considerations in the city of Derna meant that no polling took place there. A total of 13 seats out of 60 from across Libya have not been filled. There has been an alarming increase in attacks on journalists and media institutions. Several television stations in Tripoli and Benghazi were the target of armed acts of vandalism. A number ofjournalists and media figures were abducted. Attacks on media outlets and personnel were, and must be, condemned. In February, the General National Congress promulgated a law that punishes with imprisonment any person found to be undermining the 17 February revolution, publicly insulting the legislative, executive or judicial authorities or disgracing the national flag.”
2014-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7130 (2014) · source
“On 20 February, elections took place to the Constitution Drafting Assembly, with 649 candidates running in those elections. Fifty-four women competed for the six reserved seats and 509,043 voters cast their ballots, representing 46 per cent of the 1,101,541 registered voters. One million Libyans registered to vote this time, whereas there were 2.7 million in 2012. In addition to the Amazigh boycott of the polls, there was a sizeable boycott by the Tabu and Tuareg in the south. Their stance relates to their demand for a consensual decision-making mechanism in the Constitution Drafting Assembly regarding their rights. There had to be re-run of the polls on 26 February in about 2 per cent of centres. In some of them, polling did not take place because of the boycott.”
2014-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7130 (2014) · source
“It is widely believed that UNSMIL had a role in helping to avert violence on that occasion. It is regrettable, however, that some voices of criticism, and even slander, failed to recognize the true motives and effects of the United Nations initiatives. Mindful of our neutrality, respect of national sovereignty and strict adherence to non-interference in the internal affairs of Libya, I have persistently called on all actors on the Libyan scene to uphold national interests and refrain from threatening to use force to resolve political disputes. I also have reiterated the United Nations support to the safeguarding of the legitimacy of Libya's elected institutions and their role in a peaceful transfer of their authority to an elected body.”
2014-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7130 (2014) · source
“Strong resentment and animosity have grown between the two main - though not homogeneous - camps. Libya faces the risk of embarking on a new trajectory of unprecedented violence. On 18 February, two armed brigades gave an ultimatum to Congress members to step down within five hours or face military intervention. That escalation followed a series of attacks against media outlets that have strongly disapproved of the General National Congress. In my contacts with political and brigade leaders and in a public statement, I called for restraint, warned against resorting to violence and appealed for a return to political dialogue. In a meeting with the two brigades, I reiterated that position and asked them to resolve political problems by political means.”
2014-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7130 (2014) · source
“In Benghazi, a city that prides itself on its role in putting an end to decades of tyrannical rule, the public's sense of anger is mounting. While the primary responsibility for reining in the perpetrators of the ugly campaign of terror lies with the State, that will only be possible with concerted efforts by the Government and political, civic and revolutionary forces for the protection of the civilian population. I must say that in that context the United Nations was criticized for what is seen as its impotence by those whose expectations extend far beyond what the United Nations Mission is mandated to do in terms of protecting the civilian population. Nation-wide demonstrations have taken place since early February against the continued tenure of the General National Congress.”
2014-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7130 (2014) · source