Remarks by Ambassador Dai Bing at the UN Security Council Briefing on UNSMIL |
2023-06-19 13:00 |
Mr. President, I thank Special Representative Abdoulaye Bathily and chair of the sanctions committee, Permanent Representative of Japan Ambassador Kimihiro Ishikane for their briefings. I also listened attentively to the statements by Ms. Abir Imneina. For some time now, the parties in Libya have made positive progress in advancing the political process, maintaining security and stability, and restoring construction and development. That said, Libya's political and peace processes still face many difficulties and challenges. There is still a long way to go to achieve long-term peace and security. The international community should increase attention to and investment in Libya, and provide constructive support for the maintenance of peace and stability in Libya and the region. I wish to emphasize the following points. First, advancing the political process with commitment. China commends the 6+6 committee for holding several rounds of talks earlier this month and reaching preliminary consensus on the draft electoral laws. We welcome Egypt, Morocco, and other regional countries for their continued support. China encourages all parties in Libya to build on their achievements, maintain the momentum of communication and dialogue, forge consensus on key issues, and create enabling conditions for advancing the political transition. China supports Mr. Bathily in stepping up engagement with all parties in Libya. We also support the AU and other regional organizations in promoting the national reconciliation process. The recent developments in Africa have once again shown that solutions to African issues need to be found from within Africa. The international community should respect the Libyan-led and Libyan-owned approach, accommodate the reasonable concerns of all parties in Libya, provide constructive support to the political process, and avoid forcing any solutions on the country from outside. Second, maintaining security and stability with commitment. China commends the 5+5 joint military commission for holding multiple meetings this year to discuss issues such as unification of security institutions and establishment of a ceasefire mechanism. We have noted that the security working group has held its first plenary meeting. China encourages UNSMIL to strengthen cooperation with the 5+5 joint military commission, promote the ceasefire monitoring mechanism, and create a favorable security environment for the political transition in Libya. At the same time, militia fighting, abduction, assaults, and other security incidents still occur from time to time in Libya. The spillover effects of the situation in Sudan cannot be ignored either. All parties in Libya must maintain the hard-won ceasefire and avoid actions that could cause escalations of the situation. In the current situation. It is imperative to properly address the withdrawal of external armed forces and mercenaries and ensure the relevant process can be preceded in a smooth and orderly manner to avoid any fallout impact in Libya as domestic stability and the security of the neighboring countries. Third, promoting reconstruction and development with commitment. Recently, Libya's oil production and export have steadily resumed, along with a positive momentum for development. Development and reconstruction will generate economic dividends and improve livelihoods, and can be an important catalyst and cohesive in maintaining political stability, strengthening national identity, and promoting social unity. The international community should support Libya's reconstruction and help Libya develop its economy and improve its people's livelihoods. When implementing the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2025, the UN should align with the key areas for cooperation and use UN development resources to generate real benefits. All parties in Libya should properly resolve their differences over the management of the oil industry and the distribution of oil revenues, and ensure that the oil revenues benefit the Libyan people. The Libyan Government has long-standing concerns over their losses due to the frozen assets. The Security Council and the Libya sanctions committee should take this matter very seriously and take substantive measures to address it. Thank you, Mr. President. |