Comments Made by UNSMIL SRSG, Bernardino Leon, at a News Conference in Tobruq, 08 September 2014

9 Sep 2014

Comments Made by UNSMIL SRSG, Bernardino Leon, at a News Conference in Tobruq, 08 September 2014


UNSMIL SRSG Bernardino Leon held a press conference on Monday 08 September 2014 in Tobruq after meeting with the president and two vice presidents of the Libyan House of Representatives (HoR). Below are some of his comments:

"This is my first visit as UNSMIL head and Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Libya. I will leave Tobruq with hope because I have seen leadership, creativity, generosity to find solutions to the current crisis Libya is going through."

"I am in contact with other stakeholders and I am equally hopeful there is an equal sense of leadership and engagement in all the political actors in this country."

"UN Security Council resolution 2174 sets very clearly the principles: future of Libya should be built on legitimacy, democracy and respect for international law and internal legislation."

"We have said very clearly today, and this will be the basis for the future contacts this week, that on the basis of these principles the United Nations is ready to help, if requested, to narrow the gaps, lay bridges and to try to find common ground between all political actors and stakeholders. Let me insist that this has to be based on a clear rejection of any use of force."

"I have met with representatives of Wershefana tribe, still there is confrontation there. I would like to be very clear on this point: ceasefire must be total if we want political contacts and political talks to be successful."

"Let me insist: leadership, legitimacy, rejection of use of force and respect for international legality and international law. We think that on these bases it is possible to build peace and build trust between all actors in Libya."

"The message I would like to send today from Libya to the international community is that this is a country, a society which is fed up with violence, confrontation and wants to work for peace with the international community."

"We are going to spend this week in contact with all stakeholders ... We will do as much as we can to narrow gaps. If necessary we are ready to come back here after we have contacts in Tripoli, Zentan and Misrata. Wherever we can be useful we are ready to talk."

"I started my visit here in Tobruq where the House of Representatives, the legitimate representative of the Libyan people is hosted. This is why I was keen to meet today with the president and vice-presidents, but Iwill continue to meet in other cities. I hope we will be able to find common ground and support for the formation of a future government representative of all Libyans."

"HoR is the legitimate representative of the Libyan people."

"There is a sense that wide consultations, talks, dialogue, political work will be useful to form a government. We are not yet there. This is very clear and probably some support from the international community and the United Nation will be necessary at this point."

"My understanding the central bank has been respected in Tripoli. So the parliament and government here are responsible for them. Respecting the central bank is a good signal from Tripoli and I encourage them from here to continue to do so."