By Libya Herald staff.
Tripoli 15 March 2014:
The UN Security Council voted yesterday to extend its support mission in Libya, empowering it . . .[restrict]for another year to help authorities in the country’s transition.
In adopting the resolution, the 15-member Council stated as an immediate priority that the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) provide technical advice in drafting the new constitution, as well as assisting national dialogue.
The council reiterated the need for the transition period to be underpinned by a commitment to democratic processes, specifying good governance, the rule of law, national reconciliation and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya Tarek Mitri told the UN Security Council in a report on Tuesday that Libya faced the risk of embarking on a new “trajectory of unprecedented violence”.
He said UN support was crucial as increasing political polarisation caused violence across the country. He cited a number of crises that had rocked the country in recent months including the storming of the GNC, tribal clashes in Sebha and the daily targeting of officials in Benghazi.
The extension of UNSMIL, according UN Resolution 2040, article 6, marks the begging of the third year of its mission in the country. [/restrict]
