President,

I thank Special Representative Hanna Tetteh for her briefing, and welcome the presence of the Permanent Representative of Libya to today's meeting. 

Recently, with the support of the UN and international partners, Libya's political and security situation has seen some improvement. At the same time, deep-seated structural problems remain unresolved, and achieving lasting peace and stability still faces severe challenges. This requires the international community's continued constructive support and assistance. I would like to make three points. 

First, there is a need to support Libya in completing its political transition. Recently, 35 newly elected municipal councils in Libya were sworn into office, while the House of Representatives and the High Council of State reached consensus on the reconstitution of the Highest National Election Commission. China welcomes the efforts of the Libyan people and hopes that all parties will seize the current positive momentum to steadily advance towards holding national elections. The UN, as the main channel for resolving the Libyan issue, plays an irreplaceable and vital role. We note that UNSMIL has started the implementation of the political roadmap. SRSG Tetteh should continue to hold broad consultations and make every effort in building confidence and clarifying concerns to ensure that the roadmap is fully accepted by all parties in Libya. The Security Council is currently discussing the extension of UNSMIL's mandate following the submission of the Secretary-General's strategic review of the Mission. We support the extension of UNSMIL's mandate and call on the Mission to prioritize moving forward the political process to help Libya break the political deadlock at an early date. External forces should stop undue interference in Libya's affairs.

Second, there is a need to help Libya improve its security situation. Maintaining peace and stability in Libya is a crucial guarantee for the political process and the most urgent task at hand. China welcomes the efforts of the Presidential Council and the Government of National Unity to ease tensions in Tripoli and urges armed militias to cease actions that could escalate tensions. All parties in Libya should jointly uphold a lasting ceasefire, refrain from any form of violence, and continue to advance the integration of military and security institutions in eastern and western Libya. The UN should provide support in this regard. Member States should strictly implement Council resolutions and jointly curb the illegal smuggling and proliferation of weapons. As the Council will consider the authorization for Operation Irini next month, all parties should fully respect Libya's views on this matter. 

Third, there is a need to help Libya regain its development momentum. Libya was once a country with rich resources, good development, and tremendous potential on the African continent. However, it has been mired in difficulties due to conflict and division. All parties should support Libya in promoting its post-conflict reconstruction and improving its investment and development environment. They should support Libya in combating oil smuggling to ensure that its resources benefit its people, and support Libya in curbing illegal human smuggling and eradicating criminal networks. Libya's frozen overseas assets are the common wealth of the Libyan people. The Council should safeguard the Libyan Investment Authority's right to reinvest, investigate any misuse or erosion of the frozen funds, and prevent Libya's sovereign wealth from becoming a tool for other nations to gain undue profit. 

President, 

A united and stable Libya is a shared aspiration of the Libyan people and the international community. As a good friend of Libya, China stands ready to continue working with all parties to play a constructive role in helping Libya embark on the path of lasting peace, stability, development, and prosperity. 

Thank you, President.