The UN Security Council reaffirmed Thursday UN strong commitment to what it described an inclusive, Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process, facilitated by the United Nations and supported by the international community.
In a statement, UNSC President reiterated ‘strong support for the Libya people to determine who governs them through elections and to ensure this legitimate demand is heard through the political process’.
The Security Council’s statement underlined ‘the importance of an inclusive reconciliation process based on the principles of transitional justice and accountability’.
The statement hailed Bathily’s initiative to launch a UN-facilitated, Libyan High-Level Panel for Elections (HLPE), in particular, that it is intended to complement progress made by other processes and bring together stakeholders.
It also underscored the importance of what it described as the ‘participatory and representative process that includes representatives of political institutions and political figures, tribal leaders, civil society organizations, security actors, youth, and the full, equal and meaningful participation of women.
The UN Security Council statement urged all stakeholders ‘to engage fully, constructively, transparently, and in a spirit of compromise with the SRSG and to uphold guarantees concerning the independence and integrity of the inclusive electoral process, and election results.’
It also underscored the importance of cooperation and constructive engagement between all relevant Libyan institutions in this regard.
It further emphasized the importance of providing a safe environment for civil society organizations to work freely and to protect them from threats and reprisals.
The Security Council underlined ‘the importance of the principles of financial responsibility, anti-corruption and transparency in the context of elections.’
The statement underlined ‘the importance of the Libyan authorities and institutions being both capable of, and accountable for, organizing elections in a neutral way across the country in 2023.’
It also warned that ‘individuals or entities who threaten the peace, stability or security of Libya, or obstruct or undermine the successful completion of its political transition, including by obstructing or undermining the elections, may be designated under Security Council sanctions.’
The statement called on the international community to fully support UN envoy and UNSMIL in the implementation of their mandate.
The statement also renewed UN Security Council strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya.
