Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council briefing on Libya
Thank you, Madam President.
I would like to thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo and Ambassador Tirumurti for their briefings.
Recent events in Tripoli make today’s discussions particularly timely, so I would like to make three points.
First, I echo calls from the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser Stephanie Williams, and others, for calm and de-escalation, following the events of 17 May. Our priority should be to protect progress made since the 2020 ceasefire agreement. Long-term stability will only be achieved in Libya through a refreshed and inclusive political process, including free and fair parliamentary and presidential elections and the withdrawal of foreign forces and mercenaries - including the Wagner group. I would like to thank Stephanie Williams for her tireless efforts to mediate a basis for elections in Libya. That responsibility now sits with the Joint Committee of the House of Representatives and High Council of State. The Joint Committee must now live up to the hopes and expectations of the Libyan people.
Second, we call on all Libyan parties to protect the neutrality and integrity of public institutions and support their reunification. The latest closure of oil facilities must end – it is damaging to the Libyan economy, and to the Libyan people. The National Oil Corporation should not be politicised and must be able to fulfil its duties without interference. Libyan public institutions should be supported to serve the whole of Libya and all Libyan people.
Third, I would like to thank the brave, dedicated women and men who defend human rights in Libya. Accountability for human rights abuses and violations is essential for ending the cycle of impunity. The UN Human Rights Council Fact Finding Mission is an important mechanism for identifying violations and abuses, and the UK welcomes Libya’s engagement with the Fact Finding Mission and would support the extension of the Mission’s mandate at the next Human Rights Council, to allow the Mission enough time to complete its important work.
Madam President, the UK continues to support the UN-facilitated, Libyan-led and owned political process. We stand ready to work alongside Libya and our international partners to build a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous future for the Libyan people.
Thank you.