Statement by Ambassador Sarah MacIntosh, UK Permanent
Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on
Libya.
"Madam President, three points on the political process, the
importance of stability, and human rights.
First, the United Kingdom reaffirms our support for SRSG
Tetteh and for all efforts aimed at advancing an inclusive,
credible, and Libyan-led political process.
Almost a year ago, this Council welcomed SRSG Tetteh's briefing
setting out a roadmap towards elections in Libya, and opening a
window for making progress in Libya's political process.
A year on, its two initial milestones remain to be implemented by
Libya's parties.
The people of Libya are telling us clearly that they want
progress in the political process towards elections and unified,
strengthened, and accountable institutions.
And we urge Libya's leaders to use this window of opportunity to
act to implement the roadmap and move towards elections.
Two steps that Libya's leaders could take now to demonstrate both
progress and determination to move forward. Implementing the
US-facilitated unified budget agreement, and finalising the
outcome of the UNSMIL-facilitated 4+4' small convening
discussions.
Second, progress on the political process will support stability,
which in turn offers the best prospects for greater economic
certainty and a stable Dinar, for jobs and youth employment, for
stable fuel and essential goods and services supplies, and for
all those things that Ms Bek has described in her briefing.
Conversely, when progress stalls, stability is put at risk and in
recent weeks we have seen concerning signs.
And we have heard this morning of some of them.
Including around the Governor of the Central Bank, the
assassination of the Libyan National Army Military Intelligence
Chief, and targeted drone attacks on critical infrastructure at
Zawiya.
We have also seen protests resulting from wider frustrations.
It is the Libyan people who suffer the most from any
instability.
The window for progress is open, but not indefinite.
Third, protection of human rights.
The United Kingdom welcomes announcements on the release of
detained individuals in both West and East Libya.
We encourage Libyan institutions to end the practice of arbitrary
detentions.
To empower law enforcement and legal institutions to investigate
human rights violations and to pursue violators regardless of
their affiliations, and to dismantle the criminal gangs
responsible for organised immigration crime.
As the Secretary-General's latest report shows, organised
immigration crime creates protection risks, including of
harassment, arbitrary arrests, and forcible transfer.
It has a disproportionate impact on women and girls, and it risks
fuelling instability in Libya and beyond.
Madam President, the United Kingdom wants democratic choice,
security, and prosperity for the people of Libya.
Through the mandate of this Council, and the work of our UN
Mission, the international community is working to support the
achievement of these goals.
We see a window of opportunity now. And we urge and encourage
progress in this window, and support those who take the necessary
steps to achieve it."
