Mr. President,
In my last statement, I laid out several priorities that must still be addressed. Where we stand on the most important issues today?
First: There is consensus that the LPA remains the framework of the political process
Despite criticism, there is overwhelming national and international support for the Libyan Political Agreement.
This Agreement, however, is not set in stone.
After months of consultations with Libyan, regional and international stakeholders, we are developing a roadmap to allow limited amendments to the Libyan Political Agreement, through an inclusive Libyan-led and Libyan-owned process.
I see broad agreement on the areas where amendments are still needed. There are still different ideas on the format of the talks.
However, there is an agreement on the principles guiding the future talks.
My advice to the international community is to provide the necessary assurances and guarantees to implement what Libyans will agree upon. They cannot do this alone without the support of the international community. They need your strong and unified support.
Second: The military situation
The adversities of a political solution seek to use violence to undermine efforts to reach a settlement.
The attack on the Brak al Shati airbase on 18 May is an
example. Radical elements, including some affiliated with Al-Qaeda, massacred dozens of people.
This inhuman act not only demonstrated complete disregard for human life but also was a deliberate attempt to undermine the political process.
Unfortunately, the closer a settlement is, the higher the threat of such violence.
More of the same was seen few days ago when forces affiliated with the so-called Salvation Government attacked in Tripoli at the end of May.
Fortunately, forces supporting the Presidency Council successfully defended the city and now control the capital.
Third: The urgent need to unify the Libyan security apparatus
Yesterday, on June 6, I once more met with Field Marshal Haftar in Benghazi. He assured me he wants to proceed on the basis of the Libyan Political Agreement, supporting a political process to amend the Agreement.
I encouraged him to let politics prevail and not to pursue military confrontation.
We agreed that a united Libyan security apparatus is vital for peace and prosperity. I recommended to Field Marshal Haftar that officers from all parts of the country should meet to discuss military matters. We stand ready to facilitate such a meeting, as we have done before.
In Tripoli, the Security Plan must now be extended to the entire city. The state authority has to be expanded; the authority of the Presidency Council over armed groups has to be strengthened. These forces must be consolidated within the relevant ministries. Command and control must be unified.
The unification of the security apparatus must also occur on a national level.
In line with the guidance of Secretary General Guterres on prevention of conflicts, we do our utmost to ensure dialogue prevails over confrontation, Unity prevails over division, and security prevails over chaos.
Continued use of the military to achieve political goals will only harden positions.
Instead, a political solution, including agreement on a civilian authority to command the security apparatus, is needed.
Fourth: Weaknesses in the economy and financial situation need to be addressed.
Despite the increase in oil revenue and the ability of the Presidency Council to agree on a new budget for 2017, the fundamentals of the Libyan economy remain flawed.
The division of financial institutions, instability and low confidence in the banking sector continue to feed inflation and the lack of liquidity. The Central Bank has to decisively address the fiscal and monetary problems of Libya.