By Hadi Fornaji.
(Photo: UNSC)
Tunis, 13 June 2016:
The UN Security Council (SC) has voted to extend the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) until 15 December 2016. The current mandate was due to run out this Wednesday.
Expressing its support for work of UNSMIL and Special Envoy Martin Kobler to facilitate a Libyan-led solution to the country’s crisis, the SC reiterated its view that the Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Fayez Serraj, referred to as prime minister in the SC resolution, was “the sole legitimate government of Libya”. It also welcomed the arrival on 30 March of members of the Presidency Council in Tripoli.
The Security Council further “welcomed the endorsement in principle of the Libyan Political Agreement by the House of Representatives [HoR] on 25 January 2016” – again suggesting that it regards the 100 signatories to a statement declaring support for the GNA as tantamount to a formal vote by the HoR.
The SC also expressed its “grave concern” at the “rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Libya” and called on GNA to “finalise” interim security arrangements to stabilise Libya “as a critical step towards tackling the country’s political, security, humanitarian, economic and institutional challenges and to combat the threat of terrorism”.
The interim security arrangements referred to centre on the creation of the Presidential Guard, still being formed.
Libya continued to be “a threat to international peace and security”, the Security Council stated. In consequence, it has decided that UNSMIL’s duties now include:
- Human-rights monitoring and reporting;
- Helping secure uncontrolled arms and countering their proliferation;
- Support for key Libyan institutions;
- Support for the provision of essential services;
- Humanitarian assistance;
- Coordination of international assistance.
