Abdoulaye Bathilyreported the Security Council and recognized the recent efforts of the so-called “6+6” Commission working towards new elections, as an important step forward, although insufficient to resolve the most controversial problems.
He said that the lack of agreement on the eligibility criteria for the presidential poll, the link between it and the parliamentary elections and the question of forming a new unified government, were “highly controversial“and they depend on reaching a political agreement”across the political spectrum“.
Without the internationally recognized government and other rival centers of political power such as the General Command of the Libyan National Army (LNA) coming together, “further polarization and destabilization” is likely.
Appeal to the Security Council
“Therefore, I call on this Council to increase the pressure on the relevant actors and use their collective and individual influence to ensure that they demonstrate the necessary political will to lead his country to a successful election”, said Mr. Bathily, who also heads the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
He told the ambassadors that while the international community endorsed the principle of a “Libya-Libya solution” as the basis for a lasting peace, this slogan must not be just a slogan to hide an agenda to prolong the status quo at the expense of the political rights of the Libyan people and aspirations to legitimate institutions and prosperity.
Sudan factor
Meanwhile, he said the military power struggle in neighboring Sudan had created another source of destabilizationwith the potential for an influx of refugees and cross-border military movements.
“We are following the situation closely” he told the ambassadors, adding that he has told Tripoli that the UN is ready to support the country, although all refugees fleeing the war should receive humanitarian protection.
The UNSMIL chief said he had been working hard to bring security and military officials together, continuing with meetings of the so-called 5+5 Joint Military Commission and “armed formations” in the capital, Sebha, and the bastion of the Benghazi LNA.
Take advantage of the momentum
“These meetings brought conflicting parties together for the first time since the crisis broke out. They have raised positive expectations among the Libyan public and created momentum that needs to be sustained and developed.”
Finally, he told the Council that it was “imperative” that members support the mandate entrusted to UNSMIL, to increase pressure on the political class.
The UN’s top peace and security body must speak “with one voice” to allow Libya to finally recover from the crisis that began with the ouster of former dictator Muammar Gaddaffi in 2011, Bathily said .
