Libya: Amid threat of renewed conflict, UN envoy urges restraint
| Publisher | UN News Service |
| Publication Date | 4 January 2017 |
| Related Document(s) | Libyan Political Agreement |
| Cite as | UN News Service, Libya: Amid threat of renewed conflict, UN envoy urges restraint, 4 January 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/586e11cf40e.html [accessed 5 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
4 January 2017 - Expressing concern at escalating tensions and threat of renewed conflict following developments in central Libya, the United Nations envoy for the country urged all parties to work together on reconciliation and to refrain from any rhetoric that could inflame the situation.
“I urge all parties to act with restraint and to resolve issues through peaceful dialogue,” said Martin Kobler, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and the head of the UN Support Mission in the country (UNSMIL).
According to UNSMIL, Mr. Kobler also emphasised the need for urgent renewed efforts to find solutions to political issues that will allow for the full implementation of the Libyan Political Agreement.
Signed in December 2015, the Agreement contains four main principles: ensuring the democratic rights of the Libyan people, the need for a consensual government based on the principle of the separation of powers, oversight and balance between them, as well as the need to empower State institutions like the Government of National Accord so that they can address the serious challenges ahead, respect for the Libyan judiciary and its independence.
However, its slow implementation has been noted as an issue of concern.
In mid-December 2016, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon cautioned that “the road to peace is long” and the Libyan people have not yet achieved the stability and security they deserve.
At the time, Mr. Ban also urged the parties that are not currently engaged in the process to join efforts to find a consensual solution to the ongoing crisis.
