With foreign interference surging, front lines between combatants shifting, tens of thousands fleeing their homes and the threat of COVID-19 looming large, a negotiated solution to the crisis in Libya — now in its tenth year — is more urgent than ever, Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council in a 8 July videoconference meeting* dedicated to the situation in the North African country. […]
Wang Yi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of China, said that the ongoing conflict in Libya opens the door to rampant terrorism, weapons proliferation and massive refugee outflows. The international community must translate consensus into action, turn vision into reality on the ground and bring peace to Libya’s people as soon as possible. Achieving a comprehensive ceasefire and cessation of violence should be the immediate priority, he said, adding that all countries must honour Council resolutions, refrain from getting involved in the conflict or meddling in Libya’s internal affairs, and strictly enforce the arms embargo. The principle of a Libyan‑led and Libyan-owned peace process must be upheld, with the United Nations serving as the main channel of mediation and the League of Arab States and African Union encouraged to play an important role. “What we can learn from the decade-long turmoil in Libya is that attempts aimed at so-called regime change only spark turbulence, and that military intervention only opens the door to endless trouble,” he said. […]
Heiko Maas, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, spoke in his national capacity, saying that, six months after the Berlin Conference, COVID-19 has turned the world upside down. While the rest of the world was fighting the coronavirus, hospitals in Libya came under bombardment, while weapons and mercenaries arrived in Libyan cities. “It is time to stop this cynical absurdity,” he said, explaining why all participants in the Berlin process were invited to today’s meeting. Foreign interference remains the main driver of the conflict in Libya and it must end. That means no more aircraft, tanks or ships full of weapons “and no more lies”. Targeted sanctions and other measures will be used to ensure that Libya is no longer the battleground in a foreign war. He added that backdoor deals that enable foreign actors to carve out spheres of influence must stop. Instead, the international community must unite behind UNSMIL and United Nations-led peace efforts to help Libya’s people find a political solution, achieve lasting peace, and preserve the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Läs referat från mötet