Statement by Ambassador Woodward at the Security Council meeting
on UNSMIL.
"Let me start by thanking SRSG Bathily and Ambassador Kimihiro
for their briefings today. I’d like to focus on the political
process, the role of security actors, and civil society.
The United Kingdom continues to support fully SRSG Bathily and
his work in Libya. I welcome SRSG Bathily’s consultations with an
inclusive set of stakeholders. All Libyans, from social leaders
to civil society, have an important role to play in Libya’s
long-term efforts towards stability.
Mediation, under the auspices of the SRSG and UNSMIL, is key for
elections to succeed. It is vital to bind Libya’s powerbrokers
into an agreement that will enable the holding of elections as
soon as feasible, without risking progress achieved on peace and
stability to date. Mediation should take place between those
empowered to resolve key sticking points that have long delayed
Libya’s progress towards long-term security.
Second, I note positively the efforts of security actors to come
together in support of delivering successful elections. Their
initial commitments are welcome and should be the foundation for
more substantive political compromises that create the conditions
for successful elections. Security actors also have an important
role in committing to, and upholding, the security guarantees
necessary to enable Libyan’s access to safe, free and fair
elections.
Finally, colleagues, as SRSG Bathily said, the crackdown on civil
society is deeply concerning. Civic space must be protected to
empower all Libyans to play a role in developing an open and
democratic society. It is incumbent on Libyan authorities to
rapidly develop and clarify a sustainable legal mechanism that
allows for freedom of association, operation and assembly, as
guaranteed in the Constitutional Declaration.
Additionally, I encourage SRSG Bathily to continue undertaking
meaningful engagement with civil society to ensure wider Libyan
voices, including, as you mentioned, women and youth, are heard
throughout the political process.
Colleagues, there’s a positive start already to help Libya find
the solutions to its problems. We must continue to work together
constructively to support the Libyan people to address
long-standing issues. It is only through coordinated efforts,
with a leading role by UNSMIL, that we can help pave the way for
elections and beyond, to ensure Libya achieves the stability and
prosperity its people deserve.
Thank you."
