UNSC: Vietnam supports comprehensive political solution in Libya

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam (left, front) attends the UNSC meeting on Libya (Photo: VNA)

New York – Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, has welcomed recent positive developments in politics and security in Libya, and affirmed Vietnam’s support to a comprehensive political solution led and owned by Libyan people.

The Ambassador made the remarks at a UN Security Council meeting on July 15 to discuss the situation in Libya and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) operations, which was chaired by Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France – the President of the Council in July.

Quy called on relevant parties to resolve outstanding differences and expedite all necessary legal and logistical arrangements to ensure the holding of national elections under the agreed framework, stressing the importance of full and equal participation by women in the process.

The parties must fully implement the October 2020 ceasefire agreement, and all foreign forces and mercenaries should withdraw from Libya in a timely, orderly and comprehensive manner, he said.

He also lauded activities to reduce risk and protect civilians from unexploded ordnances left by the war, while calling for more efforts in the work.

Speaking at the meeting, Ján Kubiš, Secretary-General’s Special Representative of Libya and head of the UNSMIL, lauded progress in Libya, but showed concern about the lack of agreement among stakeholders in Libya on solutions to amend the Constitution and approve the new election law to prepare for the December 24 general election.

He said that the UNSMIL will continue to work hard to support the transitional process in Libya as well as the deployment of civil observatory group to assist the supervision of the Libyan people-led supervision mechanism of ceasefire agreement. He also spoke highly of the second Berlin Conference on Libya in June, while calling on the UNSC and the international community to continue to assist the promotion of peace and development in Libya.

Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity of Libya, requested the Council to help secure the immediate withdrawal of mercenaries and foreign fighters.

Concluding the meeting, the UNSC adopted a presidential statement, which called on relevant agencies to speed up preparations for free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections in Libya, scheduled for 24 December.

It urged all Member States, Libyan parties and relevant actors to fully implement the 23 October 2020 ceasefire agreement, including the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya without delay. It welcomed efforts by the UNSMIL to encourage the conference to develop proposals for a fair, free and inclusive electoral process.