5. I also had the privilege of meeting with members of the Constitution Drafting Assembly in the city of al-Baida. Despite the difficult political and security challenges that confront its work, I was heartened by the sense of perseverance and commitment conveyed by members of the Assembly. At this meeting, UNSMIL agreed to facilitate an event that will bring together the various committees established by the Assembly with a number of legal experts to provide technical assistance.
6. In Tripoli, Misrata and Zintan, I had the opportunity to meet with various political leaders and other key figures associated with the recent outbreak of military conflict in Tripoli and its environs. I conveyed to all this Council’s commitment to Libya as made clear in resolution 2174, to hold accountable anyone actively undermining the country’s political process, or responsible for a continuation of armed conflict or for violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
7. I stressed that the solution to Libya’s current crisis cannot be achieved through military means, but through political consensus based on key principles, including respect for the Constitutional Declaration, the democratic process, the 25 June legislative elections, an end to incitement and provocation, the unequivocal rejection of terrorism, and for a meaningful and inclusive political process. This would have to be accompanied with steps on the security front to enable the State to assert its control over vital installations, and for Government to exercise its authority without the threat of armed intimidation. There can be no compromise on these principles.
8. In all my meetings, I warned of the dangers of creating parallel political institutions and processes, which can only contribute to further division and polarisation. I impressed upon my interlocutors the need to refrain from taking any action that would further exacerbate current divisions, and stressed that any solution to the current crisis would have to be negotiated within the framework of the current political legitimacy that emanated from the elections.
9. While the parties reiterated their willingness to engage according to these principles, there remains a huge trust deficit. The parties will need to move quickly to translate their stated commitment into actions.