Statement by Political Coordinator of Slovenia to the United Nations Klemen Ponikvar at the briefing on the situation in Libya

Thank you Madam President, and thanks to Deputy Special Representative Khoury for her update, Chair of the 1970 Sanctions Committee Ambassador Yamazaki for his final briefing in this capacity, and of course also Mr. Omar for bringing crucial perspectives to our meeting this morning. I also welcome the Permanent Representative of Libya.

Madam President,

In October, we welcomed the UN-mediated agreement reached between the House of Representatives and the High Council of State on the crisis surrounding Libya’s Central Bank, which had led to the rapid deterioration of the political, economic and security conditions in the country.

We continue to hope that this agreement could mark a new beginning for future agreements between the parties. This is why today we welcome Deputy Special Representative Khoury’s efforts on a “multitrack approach”, which aims to bring together key Libyan actors as well as Libyan grassroots.

We look forward to hearing more about this process as work continues, and we call on all Libyan stakeholders to engage constructively, in order to overcome the outstanding differences and take the country to long-overdue national elections.

As we approach a new year, we urge all actors in Libya to refrain from unilateral actions and stress the need for Libya’s state institutions to remain free from political interference.

Madam President,

Slovenia also welcomes the successful holding of a first batch of municipal elections in Libya in November. While no substitute for national elections, this is an important milestone and a critical step in the democratic process. The high turnout demonstrates the keen desire of the Libyan people to go to the ballot box and exercise their democratic right.

We note reports that polling proceeded smoothly and peacefully, and acknowledge the key role played by the High National Elections Commission, with support from UNSMIL. Ahead of the commencement of the electoral process for a second group of municipalities in January, we call on Libyan authorities to allocate the necessary resources to this process. We also urge continued prioritisation of the participation of women in these elections, both as voters and as candidates, including through the important work of UNSMIL.

Madam President,

the convening of the security work group of the Berlin process in October with the participation of the 5 + 5 Joint Military Commission for the first time since July 2023 is an importance development. We call for the redoubling of all efforts towards reunifying security and military institutions in Libya, and ultimately all of Libya’s state institutions.

As Ms. Hala Bugaighis warned us in October, we must not let the false sense of political stability in Libya deceive us. There remains much work to be done. Slovenia is concerned by the unprecedented level of influence non-state armed groups have on Libya’s affairs, both east and west.

Non-state armed groups are also responsible for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, and the targeting of civilians, including human rights defenders and journalists. This is reprehensible. It is clear that accountability for perpetrators of these crimes is essential in order to establish rule of law, and deliver lasting peace and justice for all Libyans.

In conclusion, Slovenia reiterates its support to the work of UNSMIL and Deputy Special Representative Khoury. We look forward to the extension of the Mission’s mandate as well as the Libya sanctions regime in January. And we hope to see a Special Representative appointed expeditiously.

I thank you.  

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