China thanks Special Representative Salamé and Ambassador Schulz for their briefings.

At present, international attention is focused on the Libyan situation. The Libyan crisis has undermined the country’s stability and development in political, security, economic, social and other dimensions. Its negative impact has spilled over into the Sahel, areas along the Mediterranean coast and other places, thereby threatening the security and humanitarian situation in the surrounding region. The military clashes that erupted around Tripoli in early April this year are continuing today, resulting in increasing casualties, including of civilians. The international community should step up concerted efforts towards an early settlement of relevant issues.

First, all Libyan parties should stay committed to the overarching objective of a political settlement. The Libyan issue must be resolved through political means. Parties to the Libyan conflict should focus on the interests of their country and people and respond to the calls of the international community by way of an immediate cessation of hostilities in order to ease tensions and return to the track of peace talks and consultations.

Secondly, the international community should play a constructive role in the settlement of the Libyan issue. The future of Libya should be determined by its people. Its political process should be Libyan-led and Libyan-owned. The international community should respect Libya’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Countries that have influence on the ground should push the Libyan parties to seek consensus and provide constructive assistance for the parties to reach a ceasefire and resume political dialogue.

Thirdly, the various mediation mechanisms should be better coordinated and mutually reinforcing. The international community should support the good offices of Secretary-General Guterres and Special Representative Salamé, the United Nations-facilitated Libyan political settlement process and the continued implementation of the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. At the same time, we hope that the African Union, the League of Arab States and other regional organizations will leverage their unique advantages in order to play an active role. All the relevant mechanisms should enhance their coordination so as to create synergies.

Fourthly, the issue of sanctions should be properly handled. Sanctions must always serve the political settlement of relevant issues. Under the current circumstances, the arms embargo on Libya should be strictly enforced. Caution should be taken to prevent other sanctions from negatively impacting Libyan civilians or any third countries. Nor should sanctions compromise the overall national interests of Libya or the normal lives of Libyans and their humanitarian needs. The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011), concerning Libya, its secretariat and the Panel of Experts should all carry out their work in strict accordance with the relevant Council resolutions. China always takes an impartial stance on the Libyan question and will continue to play a constructive role in promoting a political settlement of the Libyan issue.