Statement by Klemen Ponikvar, Political Coordinator of the Republic of Slovenia to the United Nations, at UNSC meeting on UNSMIL / Libya

Thank you, Mr. President.

We too join colleagues in expressing our appreciation to Special Representative Tetteh and to the Representative of Somalia, in his capacity as Chair of the 1970 Sanctions Committee. We also welcome the Representative of Libya to the meeting.

Mr. President,

At the outset, we wish to acknowledge the considerable efforts of the Special Representative and her team at UNSMIL to embark on a truly consultative process regarding the recently published report and recommendations of the Advisory Committee of independent Libyan experts. The views of Libyans from around the country and all walks of life, including women, youth, and others in vulnerable situations, are essential building blocks for shaping a Libyan-led and -Libyan owned political process.

The Libyan people have expectations and aspirations, which should always take precedence over the desires of a select few in Libya who seek to maintain the status quo. We advocate for the continuation of open dialogue between civil society and the Mission.

Colleagues,

The recently conducted second batch of municipal elections clearly demonstrate that Libyans wish to return to the ballot boxes and choose their own leadership through peaceful, credible and inclusive processes. We commend the High National Elections Commission for its determination and professionalism, and we welcome that these elections were held in an orderly and calm manner.

However, it is deeply regrettable that past weeks have seen attempts to obstruct this electoral process. We strongly condemn these attempts, whether acts of violence and intimidation or politically motivated manoeuvres.

We call for elections in all outstanding municipalities to take place without further delay, with the full cooperation and support of the Libyan authorities. Every voter should be afforded the opportunity to have their say, and do so freely and safely, which is the solemn responsibility of Libyan leaders to deliver on.

Mr. President,

Municipal elections are a step in the right direction, but they cannot replace national elections, which are long overdue. We welcome the presentation today by the Special Representative of a political Roadmap, which we look forward to discussing in further detail as it moves forward. Slovenia renews its call for the intensification of efforts towards the holding of national elections in Libya and for the unification and restoration of legitimacy to Libya’s state institutions, as soon as possible.

Mr. President,

The international community and the Security Council must remain united in working towards this outcome. We welcome the reinvigoration of the Berlin Process and its Working Groups, and we call on all actors – Libyan, regional and international – to engage constructively and in good faith in UN-facilitated diplomatic efforts.

We reject any external interference in Libya’s affairs, and stress the importance of the full implementation of the October 2020 ceasefire agreement, and the upholding of the UN arms embargo. Slovenia also calls for the consolidation of the truce agreement following violent clashes in and around Tripoli in May. The security situation in the country clearly remains fragile. We reiterate that only a political solution can secure a brighter future for Libya and its people.  

Finally, I would like to end our statement by reiterating our full support to the Mission and its crucial role on the ground.

Thank you.

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