Statement by the Republic of Slovenia at the UNSC meeting on the situation in Libya

Thank you, President. We also thank Special Representative Tetteh for her informative updates, and welcome the Representative of Libya to the meeting.

President,

I take the opportunity to reiterate Slovenia’s full support to the Political Roadmap first announced by the Special Representative during our last Council discussion on the situation in Libya. We share its vision to deliver unified state institutions and national elections. The three core pillars of the Roadmap, which includes a structured dialogue that enables broad Libyan participation, provide a clear path forward.

Several attempts over the years to revive a genuine and inclusive Libyan political process to deliver on the needs and aspirations of the Libyan people have – regrettably – so far fallen short. It is our sincere hope that this time, it will be different.

We have full confidence that Special Representative Tetteh can deliver, but she cannot do it alone. We therefore urge all Libyan, regional and international stakeholders to engage urgently, constructively and in good faith with this process.

In particular, we call on national actors to put the national interest first. The revitalisation of the Berlin Process and its Working Groups is very welcome, and the Security Council can do its part by holding any spoilers to account.

President,

The security situation across Libya clearly remains fragile and unpredictable. Armed groups regrettably grow further embedded in the political space. The flow of heavy weaponry into the country was evident during the flare-up of violence in Tripoli in May, and continues to pose a serious threat to Libya’s civilians. We must therefore collectively do all we can, so that the 2020 ceasefire and recent truce agreements are upheld, and to actively support the implementation of the UN arms embargo.

This is why we support the renewal of the resolution authorising inspections of vessels on the high seas off the coast of Libya, to be considered by the Council next month. EU Operation IRINI remains the only international actor currently carrying out this important work in the Mediterranean. We stand ready to engage constructively with all Council members and with Libyan authorities to this end.  

Mr. President,

The recently conducted strategic review of UNSMIL provides an opportunity to reflect on the significant achievements and challenges faced by the Mission, and on the way forward, with fresh eyes.

Slovenia shares the assessment that UNSMIL constitutes a critical stabilising presence and that its role remains relevant, especially as the work on the Political Roadmap advances. In particular, we agree that the Mission’s engagement on human rights and rule of law is central to Libya’s political process.

Slovenia looks forward to further consideration of the strategic review and its clear and timely recommendations as part of the upcoming discussions on the renewal of UNSMIL’s mandate, which has our full backing.

Mr. President, to conclude,

It seems we may now have some of the ingredients necessary for taking critical steps forward and moving beyond Libya’s stalled transition. Recent municipal elections, though imperfect, showed genuine democratic practice in action – an encouraging and hopeful event for many Libyans.

We call for the moment to be matched by the political will necessary from all quarters to finally break the stalemate.

I thank you.  

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