Tarek Mitri, the United Nations SRSG for Libya, has briefed the UN Security Council on the situation in Libya:
Mr. President,
1. You have received the Report of the Secretary-General which provides information on the work of UNSMIL over the past six months and offers a sober reading of political and security developments in Libya during that period. A combination of internal and regional dynamics continues to place a huge strain on the political processes taking place in the country, which compounds further the difficult tasks facing the Libyan authorities, both the Government and the General National Congress, as they strive to ensure that the country’s transition moves peacefully forward.
2. During the last three months, we have seen more pronounced political disagreements among the various political forces. The main political blocs within the General National Congress decided, separately, to suspend their participation as organized political parties, in the work of national political institutions. Although partially reversed, these decisions were in large part a reaction to wide-spread popular discontent with political parties and reflected an accentuated polarization in public life.
3. There is also a regional dimension to the significant political changes in Libya. Recent developments, particularly in Egypt and Tunisia, have had a palpable effect on the political scene and greatly influenced the behaviour of some political forces. These events have injected a sense of unease into the political system as different political actors reassessed their positions regarding the major problems confronting Libya and the region more generally.
Mr. President,
4. The recent and severe disruption of the country’s oil exports, following protests at a number of terminals, mostly in the east, has grave consequences for Libya’s economic stability. The disruption has compelled Libya’s National Oil Company to take the unprecedented measure of declaring a force majeure, indicating its inability to meet contractual export obligations. Conflicts related to oil terminal protection and federalist demands in eastern Libya are at the core of the protests.
