Thank you, Madam President, and thank you, Special Representative Tetteh, for your informative briefing and for your continued efforts to de-escalate tensions, prevent renewed clashes in Tripoli, and support Libyan efforts to forge consensus on a political path forward for the whole country. I also want to welcome the participation of the representative of Libya in this meeting.
This Council spoke with one voice after violence erupted in May calling for all parties to protect civilians and agree on a permanent ceasefire.
The Presidential Council’s convening of a joint security arrangements committee and subsequent establishment of a unified security force in Tripoli are encouraging signs. Solidifying these arrangements to prevent further clashes is an important next step.
The June 20 meeting in Berlin of the International Follow-up Committee on Libya was a good opportunity for the international community to show support for a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process.
As this process proceeds, the integrity and independence of the key economic institutions – including the Central Bank, the National Oil Corporation (NOC), and the Audit Bureau – remain essential to Libya’s prosperity.
Progress towards military integration is also key to reestablish Libyan sovereignty and prevent Libya from becoming enmeshed in regional conflict.
The Libyan people have clearly signaled that they do not want to be entangled in other conflicts – in the Sahel, Sudan, South Sudan or beyond – or for Libyan territory to be used to exacerbate such crises.
To enable Libya to bolster its border security and take more responsibility for its own security, the United States will encourage the process of east-west security integration, including through training assistance we have notified this year to the 1970 Committee.
We also welcome the renewal of the Libya arms embargo’s maritime inspection authority in May. We look forward to further consultations with the Libyan government and this Council on arrangements for this authority, which remains an important enforcement mechanism to help prevent weapons trafficking.
Madam President, Colleagues, our ultimate goal remains to see the Libyan government fully able to assert its sovereignty, take responsibility for its own security, and enable mutually beneficial commercial opportunities that will bring increased prosperity to the Libyan people.
I thank you.