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Remarks by Ambassador Dai Bing at the UN Security Council Briefing on Libya

2022-08-30 17:45

I thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo and Chairperson of the Libya Sanctions Committee Ambassador Kamboj of India for their briefings. I welcome the Permanent Representative of Libya Ambassador El-Sonni to this meeting. I wish to make the following four points. 


First, the Libyan crisis has entered its 11th year. The current peaceful situation was indeed hard-earned and therefore should be doubly treasured by the Libyan parties. The recent clashes in Tripoli have resulted in over 200 casualties. China is deeply concerned about this. We call upon the Libyan parties to put their national and people’s interests first, exercise maximum restraint, resolve their differences by peaceful means of dialogue and negotiations, and do their utmost to avoid all violence. China supports the 5+5 joint military commission in continuing to play a critical role in maintaining ceasefire and facilitating the withdrawal of foreign forces and mercenaries. We hope that on the condition of ensuring military balance, the withdrawal of foreign troops and mercenaries from Libya can make progress.


Second, political means are the only viable means for resolving the Libyan crisis. China welcomes the fact that the parties in Libya have reached an agreement on most of the items in the constitutional basis for elections, and hopes that the parties will maintain the momentum for dialogue and negotiations present in the previous period, strive for the middle ground, and reach an agreement on the constitutional basis without delay, with a view to creating favorable conditions for the early holding of the elections. The Libyan parties being engaged in promoting reconciliation and rebuilding mutual trust is conducive to fostering a sound atmosphere for the Libyan political process. China welcomes the fact that the Libyan parties have held a preparatory meeting on reconciliation in the Republic of the Congo under the auspices of the African Union, and has reached a consensus for the next stage of work. China is confident that Libya will benefit from Africa’s rich experience in reconciliation. External interference is a major root cause leaving the Libyan issue without a solution for all these years. The international community should abide by the Libyan-led and Libyan-owned principle, fully listen to and take on board the concerns of the Libyan parties, provide constructive assistance to the country, and avoid imposing a solution from the outside. 


Third, the United Nations is the main avenue for carrying out good offices for Libya, and UNSMIL should play an active role in promoting dialogue and negotiations among the Libyan parties. An early appointment of the SRSG will help increase the UN’s ability for good offices and restore the full functionality of UNSMIL, The fact that the position of the SRSG has remained long vacant is fully telling of the complexity and sensitivity surrounding the Libyan issue. China encourages the Secretariat to increase its communication and consultation and enhance mutual trust with the parties concerned, including those directly involved, and hopes that the appointment of the SRSG can make headway as soon as possible.


Fourth, restoring and developing the economy and improving people’s livelihood are the main instruments for consolidating peace and stability in the country. Oil is an important source of income for the Libyan economy. China welcomes the full resumption of Libyan oil production, and urges the parties to increase consultation on the distribution of the oil income, so as to ensure that the resource dividends can benefit the whole population. Libya has long-standing concerns about the losses sustained by its frozen assets, and has raised specific claims. The Council and the Sanctions Committee should actively study and respond to it.


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