YouSaid · the spoken record

Taher Elsonni

lines on the record: 124
first: 2020-05-05
most recent: 2021-05-21
sittings or episodes: 8
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

“All these dialogues must be complementary, not in conflict or competition with one another They must facilitate comprehensive, viable and consensual political solutions, and they must not be based on confrontation, exclusion and misrepresentation. In addition, the mistakes of the past must be avoided. Everyone knows that the Libyan crisis has nothing to do with changing and rotating people. Libya is too great to be reduced to mechanisms for appointing people to posts, voting percentages and virtual meetings.”
2021-01-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/97 (2021) · source
“We are trying now to embark upon an important and definitive new phase that requires the Security Council to be fully invested in supporting the ceasefire agreement so that it is sustainable and based on a solid foundation. Acts of provocation, such as building fortifications, digging trenches and planting mines, must not continue. As the saying goes, “once bitten, twice shy”. We reaffirm our support for the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum in Tunis and for other dialogues and hope that they succeed. Despite the reservations of some, what is important is that the voice of dialogue drown out the clamour of the guns.”
2021-01-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/97 (2021) · source
“Trust has been lost as a result of the events in Tripoli and its environs, all international guarantees and promises notwithstanding. The demand that foreign forces, mercenaries and armed groups of all kinds that are not under the control of the State should withdraw is an unequivocal, sovereign national demand. They must also be disarmed in order to prevent them from becoming a threat elsewhere, particularly in neighbouring countries and the countries of the African Sahel. Therefore, the States that intervened and tried to support a coup against a Government that you recognize are the first that must heed this demand. Those States dragged us into proxy wars in which our youth have been, and continue to be, used as fodder.”
2021-01-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/97 (2021) · source
“We would also like to thank the friendly and brotherly countries that have proposed several initiatives to unite Libyans, particularly the neighbouring countries of Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt, as well as Morocco before them, which served as the incubator for the Libyan political agreement and which continues to host many different meetings. These efforts are consistent with our view that choosing peace is the only way to resolve the crisis and build the civil democratic State to which Libyans aspire. Aware of that objective, we welcomed the work of the Joint Military Commission to establish a permanent ceasefire. However, ensuring that the agreement brokered by the Commission is implemented hinges first and foremost on strengthening and building confidence and demonstrating goodwill.”
2021-01-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/97 (2021) · source
“This number, if nothing else, indicates that the problem has nothing to do with who the envoy is or his or her capabilities. Rather, the real problem is that harmful international interference continues, that the Council remains divided and that Libya is being used as an arena to settle scores by proxy. All that notwithstanding, we note with optimism recent developments in the various dialogues, as it is dialogue, not fighting or the clamour of guns, that will ultimately resolve the Libyan crisis. In that regard, we are pleased that several States have changed their positions, shown goodwill and reached out to all Libyans, instead of fuelling or supporting the conflict.”
2021-01-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/97 (2021) · source
“At the outset, I would like to congratulate you and Tunisia on your presidency of the Security Council this month. We also welcome Kenya, India, Ireland, Mexico and Norway to the Council. I wish to thank Ms. Stephanie Williams for her briefing and for the work that she and her team have done. I take this opportunity to welcome the appointments of Mr. Ján Kubiš as Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, Mr. Raisedon Zenenga as Mission Coordinator of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and Georgette Gagnon as Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator. I wish this team success in performing their mandated tasks in spite of all the challenges. Here we are, welcoming the seventh United Nations envoy to Libya in 10 years.”
2021-01-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/97 (2021) · source
“One day, reconciliation will come. We will turn the page on the past, and Libyans will remember those who helped to kill them and sow discord among them, and those who stood with them and came to their aid.”
2020-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1129 (2020) · source
“We warn the countries that are responsible of the consequences of interference, which undermines the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Libyan State and threatens regional peace and security. We call on the Security Council and the international community to seize this opportunity, consider the wrongs it has committed against Libya and demonstrate its good intentions by supporting the will of Libyans and their right of self-determination and not allowing Libya to be used as a proxy battleground for settling scores, spilling the blood of our people in the process. Let it be known that Libya, in spite of its crises, has not and will not break. Although we are suffering today, we will recover tomorrow, thanks to our people, who will not accept humiliation, because Libyans are a proud and dignified people.”
2020-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1129 (2020) · source
“Given this abundance of evidence and proof, we once again call on the Security Council not to limit itself to declarations of regret and condemnation, but to immediately place the names of the persons responsible for those crimes and the persons who gave orders to carry them out on the sanctions list. The work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya and the publication of the report of its Panel of Experts should not be obstructed, as the Chair of the Committee just stated, because someone in this Council seems to want to hide the facts. To conclude, we reiterate that detrimental foreign interventions in my country constitute a major obstacle to reaching an intra-Libyan agreement.”
2020-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1129 (2020) · source
“Fourthly, it is imperative to hold accountable all who have committed war crimes or crimes against humanity against civilians, whatever their political affiliation, at any stage of the conflict since 2011, whether by carrying out the crimes or supporting their commission, as well as the countries involved. The crimes committed during the attack on Tripoli on 4 April 2019 are especially important in that regard. Efforts must be made to achieve justice and eliminate impunity because to this day, landmines planted in southern Tripoli by militias affiliated with Haftar continue to claim victims, and women continue to be abducted and killed, as was the case of the attorney Hanan Al-Barassi a few days ago in Benghazi. We continue to discover multiple mass graves in Tarhunah on a daily basis.”
2020-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1129 (2020) · source
“Thirdly, the African Union has called for a national reconciliation conference to support other United Nations tracks, led by South Africa, the current Chair of the African Union, and the African Union High-Level Committee on Libya, chaired by the Republic of Congo, in order to begin a new chapter by enabling Libyans to S/2020/1129 discuss with one another confidence-building principles, the course of transitional justice, amnesty, reparations and the return of displaced persons, regardless of their affiliations or political and ideological leanings.”
2020-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1129 (2020) · source
“Secondly, the main objectives of any new transitional phase, if agreed on, should be as follows: to prepare for the election, which is only a year away; to provide prompt services to all regions; to unify State institutions, especially sovereign ones, in order to bring them into alignment with the executive branch and each other; to combat corruption; to disband all remaining militias in the country and to place the military and its branches throughout the country under civilian authority.”
2020-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1129 (2020) · source
“Such a resolution should grant the United Nations Support Mission in Libya a mandate, through the Organization’s specialized bodies, to provide technical and logistical support for the electoral process under the supervision of the High National Elections Commission and to monitor the process in coordination with the African Union and the European Union in order to ensure integrity and transparency. It should hold accountable anyone obstructing the process or its outcome.”
2020-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1129 (2020) · source
“We therefore call urgently for an accelerated consensus on the appropriate constitutional provision for holding these elections, for respecting the popular demand that all transitional phases be ended, for the adoption of a permanent national constitution, and for an end to the succession of superannuated political bodies divided against themselves that recycle the same personages over and over again. To ensure that the political dialogues succeed and that we benefit from past experience, we would like to emphasize the following points. First, in order to ensure the credibility and success of the electoral process, we call on the Security Council to adopt a binding resolution supporting the consensus reached by Libyans in the various dialogues, including a road map and a constitutional provision on holding elections on 24 December 2021.”
2020-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1129 (2020) · source
“That in itself is a positive achievement that must be supported and upheld. In that context, we reiterate what has been stated in several initiatives and statements by the Chair of the Presidency Council and called for repeatedly: that presidential and parliamentary elections should be held as soon as possible, as the only way to end the conflict over legitimacy and to unify institutions, and as a real test for those who claim to be popular and eligible for leadership. Let those who are competitive compete.”
2020-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1129 (2020) · source
“Given how much Libyans have suffered over the years, their fear of repeating past mistakes and experience of a crisis of confidence, we must understand the fears of some and their criticism of the course that the dialogues are taking, whether with regard to the mechanism for selecting interlocutors and representatives, the process itself, the conflicting alliances or anything else. We must therefore respect the opinions of all and refrain from questioning anyone’s patriotism. Despite all the difficulties and challenges of the recent dialogue, we all saw the warm domestic and international welcome given to the consensus reached by participants in the Tunis Forum on setting 24 December of next year — the seventieth anniversary of national independence — as the date of the general election.”
2020-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1129 (2020) · source
“We therefore underscore that the role of the Libyan parties in dialogue is crucial for every track, whether at home or abroad; that the national interest must be upheld; and that efforts must be made to find fundamental, comprehensive and uncompromised solutions. Moreover, Libyans must not be subject to external dictates of any kind, however enticing, because international intervention will continue and will not stop as long as the door remains open to it. There are those who allow it to enter, and what our country has endured for nearly 10 years has been a lesson to us all.”
2020-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1129 (2020) · source
“While we appreciate all genuine international efforts to support peaceful solutions, amplify the voices of reason and dialogue, and silence the voice of cannons and clashes, we must keep in mind that this is the kind of forum that everyone was looking forward to in Ghadames last year, just days before the aggression began. What is happening now is what should have happened back then. Had the parties come to the table to engage in dialogue, it would have been possible to prevent the S/2020/1129 bloodshed, the deaths of children, women and our finest youth, the displacement of thousands of people and the escalation of foreign intervention in the country.”
2020-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1129 (2020) · source
“Here the question we will continue to ask is what international assurances of compliance with these agreements can be given, and whether the countries interfering in Libyan affairs have been persuaded that a military solution cannot work in Libya. The Skhirat agreement taught us a lesson. In spite of international promises and successive United Nations resolutions, the obstructionists found a way to sabotage negotiations that had gone on for more than a few days, lasting roughly a year, because of how divided this Council is and because it is not serious about implementing its own resolutions. The latest developments, including the launch of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum in Tunisia — which we take this opportunity to congratulate and thank for hosting the Forum — have been a ray of hope for Libyans, giving cause for some optimism.”
2020-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1129 (2020) · source
“We must therefore prevent the entry of outlaws who would imperil regional stability and the national security of neighbouring countries in particular. In that connection, we welcome the efforts that have been under way for several days now, as well as the meeting convened in Brega by the Chair of the National Oil Corporation, aimed at consolidating the Petroleum Facilities Guard, which is responsible for protecting Libya’s oil facilities and maintaining their neutrality in the midst of conflict. After the unjust and nearly nine-month blockade on ports and fields was lifted, we saw production begin to recover, and it has now reached more than 1 million barrels per day. We want to emphasize that any tampering with the wealth and livelihood of Libyans is completely unacceptable.”
2020-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1129 (2020) · source
“The developments we are following began with the meetings of the Joint Military Commission in Ghadames and later in Sirte, which were aimed at laying the groundwork for a dialogue and the other tracks. This is why we have been following the meetings very closely, hoping that they will lead to practical and realistic solutions that will guarantee success, most importantly, in verifying compliance with the ceasefire and ensuring that mercenaries and foreign fighters depart every region of Libya, along with their various weapons, under the supervision of the United Nations. Recent reports have shown that mercenaries and high-grade weapons continue to pour into Libya and that landmines continue to be planted and fortifications prepared, particularly in Sirte and Jufrah.”
2020-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1129 (2020) · source
“At the outset, I would like to thank Ms. Stephanie Williams for her briefing on the latest developments in Libya. We wish her and her team success in all their efforts to find practical solutions to the current crisis. Allow me also to thank the countries that are leaving the Council at the end of this year for their efforts, that is, Germany, the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Belgium and South Africa, with special thanks to the last for being the foremost champion of the Libyan cause and people. We have all followed the rapid developments in Libya since the ceasefire was announced, after the attempts that have been made to bring about a ceasefire since last January, when Russia brokered the signing of an agreement in Moscow. However, we all know what happened at the time and who backed out.”
2020-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1129 (2020) · source
“It is us who could stop all foreign interference, ambitions and conspiracies, whatever and by whoever they may be, so let us work together to build our future with our free will.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“The outcome of the aggressor’s adventure was nothing but more killings and destruction for the benefit of other States and individuals. Throughout history our beloved people in the east have been a beacon of scholars, elites, intellectuals and revolutionaries of Libya. We cannot recall any time in the past when they sent their men under any pretext to kill and displace their Libyan brothers and sisters. They have always been the voice of truth, and the independence of Libya and its unity were due to the wisdom of their leaders at that time. We all must remember our founding fathers from all over the country, east, west, north and south, who contributed through their patriotism to establishing the State and uniting the nation, rather than destroying and dividing it.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“The only solution must come through the Constitution, which was deliberately ignored in all political initiatives despite the work of the nationally elected Constitution Drafting Assembly. We must organize legislative and presidential elections as soon as possible, as this will provide an opportunity for those individuals aspiring to participate in the elections and prove their popularity and true legitimacy. This is the only solution to our self-determination, rather than having our destiny being determined by others. This summarizes the political vision of the Government of National Accord for those who ask, and it is supposed to be the subject of our Libyan dialogue. In conclusion, we call on all Libyans to reunite, side with the nation and work together to deny the opportunity to those who seek to divide us.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“We also call on the United Nations to deal with the issue of political dialogue among Libyans in a different manner from now on, since the circumstances have changed. There is no room to again talk about the outcomes of Paris, Palermo, Abu Dhabi or others. It must expand the base of the political dialogue stemming from the Libyan Political Agreement so as to be more inclusive and include real actors, political parties and figures from all regions. The only solution to the Libyan crisis and to stopping the fighting over legitimacy is to return to the Libyan people and end the useless transitional periods. The previous mistakes should not be repeated and the custom-made solutions to suit certain individuals, groups or countries must come to an end.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“Sixthly, we request the presidency of the Security Council to hold a special and urgent meeting of the sanctions committee this month, in the presence of representatives of all States mentioned in the reports of the Panel of Experts on Libya accused of violating the arms embargo in support of the aggression. I do not think that this request is difficult to fulfil, and it is equally as important as today’s meeting. My Government reaffirms its strategic choice to adopt peaceful solutions to the Libyan crisis and to exclude foreign interference. It further reaffirms the participation of parties that believe in peace and work towards achieving it, which is in fact the approach adopted by the Libyan State on many occasions.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“Fourthly, we believe in the significance of reaching a comprehensive political solution among all Libyans, one that leads to building constitutional institutions so as push the country out of its current crisis. However, that does not include parties that have committed violations and crimes to seize power and militarize the State. Fifthly, any political initiatives presented must be nation-owned and carried out under the auspices of the United Nations and in coordination with the African Union. We reject any unilateral initiatives that do not include all Libyan parties, are custom-made for some individuals or are presented by "impartial" States that support rebels.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“Furthermore, the arms embargo should apply to illegitimate actors, instead of undermining the Government and supporting the coup against it. Thirdly, we are all aware of the problem of the spread of weapons, militias and armed groups in most cities and regions. However, the solution was not, and should not have been, addressed by waging wars and fighting. A solution can be reached only through putting an end to the division of the country, achieving stability and embracing our youth and activating disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and security sector reform programmes. Furthermore, any solution must improve the economic and social situation. Over the years, our youth have been victims of conflict and a deteriorating situation. They should not all be put in one basket.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“Some States launch interventions and violate the sovereignty of others, undermining legitimate Governments and backing coups and outlaws with money, arms and political support. If our agreements are illegal, then all of our agreements signed with other countries — whether security, economic or oil-related — are also illegal. With regard to the remark made by the Greek Minister on the interference of countries in internal affairs without the will of the State, we remind him that he is the one who violated resolution 2259 (2015) by dealing with the parallel Government in the east. Secondly, the Council’s resolutions on the situation in Libya call on all States to support the Government of National Accord in extending its control over the entire Libyan territory.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“In that connection, my Government reserves the right to prosecute those who incited the blockage of oilfields and prevented the export of oil. The allegations put forth regarding the issue of equal distribution of wealth are nothing but flimsy justifications presented in order to control State resources. That will never happen. We affirm that solving this problem sustainably and ensuring justice for all regions of Libya can come about only through ending the transitional periods and agreeing on a constitution in which the Libyan people define the State’s governing and economic systems. As noted above, I would like to emphasize the following. First, choosing our coalitions, signing security, military or other agreements with any country is a sovereign and legitimate right, and is not called foreign intervention.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“Most recently, we witnessed the invasion by Wagner Group mercenaries of the El-Sharara oilfield in an act to engage the south in another cycle of chaos and to add to the suffering of its people, who already have been through difficult times and lived decades of crisis and marginalization. According to the National Oil Company, the recent closure of oil ports has caused an estimated financial loss of more than $6.5 billion, and some foreign actors are taking advantage of that issue as leverage to achieve their objectives in other international affairs and increase their shares in the global markets. In that regard, we emphasize that oil is the wealth of all Libyans. We will liberate all facilities from militias and mercenaries, and we will use all possible means to resume production.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“We remind the Foreign Minister of Egypt that the Government of National Accord liberated Sirte from ISIS and avenged the killing of 21 Egyptian citizens. We are the ones who recovered the bodies and sent them to their families to rest in peace, not Haftar and his forces. In fact, he was the one who allowed ISIS safe passage from Derna to Sirte. The continuation of military operations until the entire Libyan soil is free of rebels, militias and mercenaries is a sovereign issue that falls under the responsibility of the Libyan State and its Government. It is our national duty. It is therefore only the State that has the right to determine when and where it ends. That being said, Haftar´s militia and mercenaries retain control over several oil fields and installations.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“We totally condemn and reject those threats and remind everyone that their support for Haftar is what threatened international peace and security and regional stability, and what has brought us to where we are today. We will face any aggression with firmness and strength. We can understand that Libya’s national security falls within Egypt’s national security, but Libya cannot be reduced to a region on any country’s border. We did not interfere in the political affairs of others, as Egypt has chosen to do, but no one can impose their system on us. Moreover, Libya is not being governed by a tribal group, as is being falsely claimed. Instead, our tribes are our cultural and social foundation. We value and cherish them, and any attempts to divide us will not succeed.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“In the same context, we are astonished to hear some countries today saying that they are against foreign interference, calling for the preservation of Libya’s sovereignty over its territories and presenting unrealistic and unilateral political initiatives in the absence of relevant players — as we have been hearing today regarding the so called Cairo declaration. At the same time, we see statements and threats of direct intervention, as announced by the Egyptian Government, the drawing of red lines inside our lands, as stated by its President, and threatening to arm the youth of our tribes to fight their brothers inside Libya under the excuse of national security.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“The United Arab Emirates is undoubtedly involved in supporting the unsuccessful coup attempt in Libya and in threatening international peace and security in several parts of the world, as indicated in various United Nations reports. It has not been able to defend itself with regard to what was stated against them. For all of those reasons, we no longer accept its engagement in our political dialogues. In that regard, we call upon the United Nations and the international community to limit future Libyan talks to concerned Member States from neighbouring countries, Mediterranean countries and the Security Council. If not, then we will demand adding other important countries to assure proper balance when discussing the Libyan matter.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“For instance, why was the United Arab Emirates involved in discussing the future of Libya? Is it a neighbouring country? A Mediterranean country? Or a member of the Security Council? If the United Arab Emirates is not interfering in our affairs, as it claims, why do they rush to take a seat at every meeting? Why do they welcome war criminals and give them a platform to hold press conferences to incite war, and provide them with funding and weapons? Why were Emirati officers recently featured in video recordings training Haftar militias on Russian Pantsir-S1 missile systems. Does Libya pose a threat to the national security of the United Arab Emirates?”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“Otherwise, they are complicit in those violations and crimes and the Security Council should impose immediate sanctions on these entities and individuals. In that regard, I would like to thank the Sudanese Government for arresting, a few days ago, more than 120 mercenaries, who were trying to infiltrate the borders to fight in Libya. In response to the Russian representative’s objection that there are no Russian military soldiers in Libya, I note the presence of the Russian Wagner Group, which recruits multinationals, including Russian citizens. We ask Russia, therefore, to act and withdraw them. The Libyan people are wondering about the reasons behind the presence of some States that have no ties to Libya participating in international forums on Libya.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“What other evidence and proof is the Council waiting for to see that there is an international presence of mercenaries — whether affiliated with the Russian Wagner Group or Sudanese, Chadian or Syrian — working under the command of the war criminal and his agents? The Libyan people and the entire world saw them on television fleeing their positions south of Tripoli. We all saw how the mercenaries were hurriedly evacuated from Bani Walid Airport after realizing that their defeat was inevitable. Today we find them stationed in the east, hiding in broad daylight and hijacking oil fields and ports. We therefore reiterate our request to the States concerned to withdraw their citizens and hold them and those who finance them accountable.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“What about the mass graves recently revealed in the city of Tarhouna? Up to 220 bodies of children, women and young people have been discovered so far, some of whom were buried alive. What about the explosives and mines planted in the homes of citizens south of Tripoli, resulting thus far in the death of 80 innocent victims, according to the Mission? That was nothing but a cowardly act carried out by Haftar’s militias and mercenaries, evoking other atrocities committed in Sirte by terrorists of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Shams (ISIS). And yet some still consider this war criminal to be a partner for peace. In that regard, we thank the ICC and the Human Rights Council for accepting our request to investigate those violations, and we hope they will help bring the perpetrators to justice.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“We also heard today from some who still say there can be no military solution in Libya. In the light of the words of the sixth Special Envoy for Libya, how can we trust the international community’s stated intentions of reaching a peaceful solution, or its credibility in future? The people of Libya and the people of the world are tired of double standards. Unfortunately, the United Nations, which is 75 years-old, has become strained and helpless, and the Security Council has become nothing but an arena for arguments and empty statements. Real and fundamental reform is therefore inevitable. What more evidence of crimes and violations by the aggressor and its supporters, as documented in the Council’s own reports and in the reports of the International Criminal Court (ICC), is the Council waiting for?”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“By States that — either secretly or publicly — are still supporting the aggressor. We are hearing calls for reason by States that deliberately disrupted United Nations dialogue and the efforts of its former Special Envoy Ghassan Salamé, who spoke in an interview a few days ago. Now free from the restrictions of United Nations bureaucracy, Mr. Salamé expressed his anger and pointed out the hypocrisy of some States, saying that he was stabbed in the back by the majority of the members of the Council, and that they no longer had any role when Haftar launched his attack on Tripoli. He further said that Haftar got the support of most, while they were being criticized in Libya because they did not stop him. He concluded that some major States not only supported Haftar, but deliberately colluded against holding a national conference in Ghadames.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“They took advantage of opportunists in order to achieve their agendas by suppressing the dream of a democratic transformation, to which the Libyans aspire. Today, as they listen to today’s briefers and speakers, Libyans are wondering why they are now talking about a political settlement and dialogue. Where were they more than a year ago when bombs were falling on innocent people and thousands of civilians, including women and children, were killed? Where were they when our civilian infrastructure was being bombed and hundreds of thousands were displaced? All those violations and war crimes occurred before their eyes. What did they do to stop them? And what have we gained from the bloody adventure launched by a rebel obsessed with power? Today we are hearing calls for reason, wisdom and dialogue, but by whom?”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“I also confirm the fulfilment of our previous promise that the invader would never enter Tripoli, and he did not. Thanks to our national army and our valiant armed forces, we affirm the triumph of Operation Burkan Al-Ghadab, a victory for those who call for a civil and democratic State over the defeated scheme of State militarization. The resilience of Tripoli is a symbol of resilience against all counter-revolution plots and those who support them, not only for Libya but on behalf of the entire region. As I have said previously, since 2011 my country has witnessed attempts by several States to extend their control over Libya, plunder its wealth and tear apart its national and social fabric. Those States benefited from interventions to create chaos and settle scores on our land.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“At the outset, I would like to welcome Minister Maas, who is joining us for this important meeting. I would also like to congratulate you, Sir, on your country’s assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. I thank the Secretary-General for his briefing, and Ms. Stephanie Williams for her efforts in leading the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). I also take this opportunity to thank Germany and Mrs. Angela Merkel for her efforts to reach international consensus and find a peaceful solution to the Libyan crisis. Today’s meeting comes at an important time and provides an opportunity, in the presence of all the countries represented here, to officially announce the failure of the adventure led by the aggressor, which it named “the Jihad and the Open Conquest”.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“That is why we call on all those who have been involved with him to put down their weapons and surrender and to side with our nation so that we can end the cycle of conflict, sit down for a dialogue and reconciliation and discuss the post-Haftar days. To that end, we would like the United Nations, in coordination with the African Union, to play a more effective role in the coming period and to adopt new methods to deal with the Libyan issue and learn from the mistakes of the past. Through that new role, those obstructing peace will be held accountable in order to deter their authoritarian tendencies, the free will of the people will be ensured and solutions will not be dictated so that we can work towards a united civil State free from any intervention and inclusive of all.”
2020-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/421 (2020) · source
“As much as we appreciate the change of position on the part of a number of States that have finally sided with the truth now that it has become clear, we no longer pay much attention to empty statements or words of condemnation. We assure the Council that our efforts to defeat the aggressor will continue with all our might, by all means and with the alliances we see fit in order to extend the State’s authority throughout the country. It should now be clear to all that the war criminal’s project has come to an end and now belongs to the past and that those who have been betting on him have lost their wager. He is the one who pulled out of dialogue and peaceful solutions.”
2020-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/421 (2020) · source
“The east has been hijacked and is living in fear. Council members are witness to the number of violations committed there, and the arrests, torture, forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings committed by his criminal takfiri militias under the slogan of “national army, safety and security”. Finally, the Council has witnessed the victories of our Libyan National Army and military forces as they have liberated most of the aggressor’s strongholds, revealed the truth and laid bare the weakness of the militias, which have started S/2020/421 to demonstrate their defeat under the guise of tactical withdrawals, despite all the support they have been receiving for years.”
2020-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/421 (2020) · source
“We all agree that preventing bloodshed and sitting down for dialogue is the only way out of this crisis. However, this is true only of those who seek a peaceful solution, understand the meaning of democracy and aspire to a civil State, and not of someone who has sent our youth to perish, turned his back on everyone and appointed himself ultimate ruler and tyrant of the country, ignoring the will of the people and their right to self-determination. Therefore, we reiterate our categorical refusal to sit down with those whose hands are stained with the blood of the innocent. The Council should know that no political solution should be reduced to a single person or group and that eastern Libya and its people are part of the core of our nation and are much bigger than this dictator who represents only himself.”
2020-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/421 (2020) · source
“Moreover, if those countries do not recognize the legitimacy of our agreements, they should review the ongoing agreements we have reached with them, as we might reconsider their feasibility. Our advice to those countries is to find satisfactory answers for their people when they ask why their country’s name is listed in reports of the United Nations sanctions committee and why their country is spending billions to support militias and mercenaries and provide them with weapons to kill and displace thousands of Libyans. Without a doubt, my country welcomes and appreciates all sincere initiatives and efforts aimed at ending the ongoing conflict and all attempts, such as those made in Moscow, Berlin and elsewhere, to reach the humanitarian ceasefire that we have always sought.”
2020-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/421 (2020) · source