Statement by the Deputy Permanent Representative, Ambassador João Genésio de Almeida Filho, at the UNSC Briefing on UNSMIL (Libya) - 25 July 2022

July 25^th 2022

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as representative of Brazil.

We thank ASG Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee for her briefing.

Libya is at a critical juncture. We are deeply concerned about the clashes between armed groups in Tripoli last week, and the related civilian casualties. We are also concerned about reports of arbitrary arrests and detentions, earlier this month, following demonstrations protesting deteriorating living conditions and calling for elections.

To preserve the country’s fragile stability, Brazil acknowledges the critical role the UN Support Mission in Libya has to play. We are thankful for the mediation efforts and good offices UNSMIL has provided to Libyan political actors, including during such time as the mission has had shorter mandates.

We acknowledge that, despite a less than optimal provisional arrangement regarding the mission’s leadership since the departure of its last formal head, UNSMIL has still been able to foster dialogue between the parties on a number of issues. Progress in the security track through dialogue within the Joint Military Commission 5+5 is but one example.

But as the Council examines the renewal of UNSMIL mandate, there is also a need for further dialogue within this Council.

A question we could ask is, how can we reinvigorate political dialogue in Libya, without foreign interference, and pave the way for a truly Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political settlement?

From our perspective, there are two important dynamics in Libya that the Council has the authority and responsibility to influence in a positive way.

One is UNSMIL’s capacity to engage with the relevant actors. With the understanding that the mission’s mandate, one way or another, is going to be renewed in the coming days, Brazil considers that the appointment of UNSMIL leader is key for its adequate functioning. We therefore call upon the Secretary-General and Council members to engage constructively in that endeavour, taking into account that UNSMIL is a mission created by the Council and accountable to the Council.

The second dynamics that the Council could impact positively, is the inclination of Libyan political forces to engage among themselves.

In a politically and institutionally fractured society as is Libya today, fear of what comes next, after elections, may be adding to the complex causes that immobilize progress.

We urge Libyan actors to agree on outstanding issues regarding the organization of elections, and we took note of the Libyan Constitutional Track Committee meetings held in Cairo and Geneva over the past months.

But we also believe that the Council could remind the parties that peacebuilding efforts will necessarily have to follow. In that regard, Brazil acknowledges the role that the Peacebuilding Commission can play in assisting countries’ efforts to implement their peacebuilding priorities, mobilize international attention and promote coordination and coherence of international assistance.

A final word concerns resource and assets management. The active management of Libyan assets frozen abroad has continued. We recall the conclusion by the panel of experts that such management is not allowed under the auspices of paragraph 19 of resolution 1970.

Brazil also recalls that the sovereignty over the natural wealth and resources in Libya belongs to the Libyan people, and that this sovereign right must be exercised in the interest of national development and the well-being of all Libyans, without foreign interference.

I resume my function as President of the Council.