SRSG for Libya Martin Kobler Suggestions to Rome Conference, 13 December 2015

22 Dec 2015

SRSG for Libya Martin Kobler Suggestions to Rome Conference, 13 December 2015

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen
I suggest the following next steps:

First: after the signature, an immediate, strong and supportive Security Council resolution is required to give the Government of National Unity the legitimacy it needs. I would welcome supportive statements by the African Union, the Arab League, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference and the European Union. In particular, the African Union must have a bigger role in the future to bring peace to Libya. To this end, I intend to travel to Addis Ababa soon to discuss the next steps.

Second: The doors are always open to those who still oppose the agreement. But the international community also should send a clear signal that those who continue to obstruct will be held accountable.

Third: the concerns of those who feel excluded or marginalized must be addressed immediately by the Government with the support of the United Nations. I truly want to win the support of those, who are still not convinced.I intend to work with the Presidential Council to facilitate meetings with Municipalities, tribal elders, security actors, civil society, in particular women and youth on a regular basis. I will call for the first of such meetings before the end of the year to keep the momentum. I thank Member States for their numerous offers to support such meetings.

Fourth: the single most important topic is to help the government of national unity to work safely in Tripoli. Tripoli is the capital of Libya, the seat of its institutions, the place for the government.This requires the setup by the Presidential Council of the temporary security committee to identify the way forward with all security actors, including armed groups, to cooperate and implement the security arrangements foreseen in the Libyan political agreement. This can include, at the request of the new government, the assistance of the international community.

Fifth: the new government must urgently address the fight against Daesh and affiliated groups. This fight must be led by the Libyans themselves.

Sixth: conflict in Benghazi needs to be prioritized, as it deserves particular attention. To this end, I intend to call for a meeting early next year.

Seventh: I will equally pay particular attention to the situation in Southern Libya and to the relations with Libya’s southern neighbors.

Eighth: I call on Member States to support the new government with the immediate delivery of humanitarian assistance and development programs, in particular in the areas of capacity building and the security sector.