The situation in Libya - Security Council, 10053rd meeting

The 10000 53rd meeting of the Security Council is called to order.

The provisional agenda for this meeting is. The situation is in Libya. The agenda is adopted.

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of item two of the agenda.

Members of Council have before them document S 2025 762, the text of the draft resolution submitted by France and Greece.

The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it.

And I'll give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements before the vote. France.

Merci. Mr. President.

Says.

La France et la grce hauteur de su project resolution. Un CI coligno Europe des autorites.

Et +Operationnelle Encore.

De la souvente de lunite et de la stabilite la libich.

De la corte destorit libienne la Francais. La grce proposed the reconvier pour simoi le dispositive mise en place par la resolution vend de quatro vendouz.

I thank the representative of France for the statement.

I shall put a draft resolution to the vote now.

Will those in favor of the draft resolution contained in document S2025 762, please raise their hand?

Those against?

No. Abstentions. Abstentions.

The result of the voting is as follows. 13 votes in favor, 0 votes against, 2 abstentions.

The draft resolution has been adopted as Resolution 2804 of 2020.

I now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements. After the vote.

I give the floor to Grace.

Thank you, Mr. President. As C.O. pen holders of this resolution, we would like to thank all Council members for their engagement and their support for extending the authorization of United nations security council resolution 27 8. A six month renewal of resolution 2733 this past May gave us indeed the opportunity to engage with Council members as well as with all relevant parties and stakeholders, in particular the Libyan authorities on how the arms embargo can be efficiently implemented.

Today's renewal helps further these efforts by providing additional time and space to hold meaningful discussions on the issue. Availing ourselves of today's adoption, we would like to stress again the importance of renewal of Resolution 2292, as amended by Resolution 2733. It provides for the legal framework for the authorization of inspections of vessels carried out under certain conditions on the high seas by Member States acting nationally or through regional organizations. Maintaining this legal framework is essential to ensure continuity and effectiveness of monitoring and enforcement of the UN arms embargo. As stated in The Secretary General's Report in the context of the overall political and security volatility in Libya, compliance with the arms embargo is critical to preventing any further escalation of internal armed conflict, improving prospects for the withdrawal of foreign forces, foreign fighters and mercenaries, and creating conditions for long term stability.

We therefore support all actions that contribute to strengthening the effectiveness of the UN arms embargo on Libya. Operation Irini, as an impartial and unique instrument, provides a deterrent against arms smuggling. It serves as the primary tool for maritime enforcement of the UN arms embargo in the entire region, thus concretely and effectively contributing to the implementation of the UN arms embargo and to international efforts for peace and stability in Libya. We encourage continued cooperation between Operation IRIDNEY and all relevant partners and stakeholders, in particular the Libyan authorities, and we underlined the need for full and hindered implementation of each mandate in line with the relevant resolutions. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Greece for the statement. I now give the floor to the representative of China.

Ko ya.

Koji shah zhongjong libia.

I thank the representative of China for the statement and I'll give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation.

Subspamagatilimi Organism.

Liviskova Sanction Instrumentaria.

I thank the representative of the Russian Federation for the statement and I'll give the floor to representative of Algeria.

Thank you, Mr. President. I have the honor to deliver this explanation of vote on behalf of the A3 plus, namely Guyana, Sierra Leone, Somalia and my own country Algeria. The A3 voted in favor of this resolution just adopted, through which the Council authorizes a six month technical rollover of the provisions set out in the resolution 2780 as demonstration of our commitment to the strict implementation of the arms embargo in Libya. In this context, we would like to make four points. First, we take note of the recent report of the Secretary General on the activities of Operation Irini which included more than 2,000 boardings and inspections.

However, we regret that despite the high number of reported interceptions, the operation has not yielded the desired results to implement the arms embargo, which remains largely ineffective in the face of the growing flow of weapons, especially by air and sea. The persistent challenge underscores the need for a comprehensive review of the MODIS operandi of the mission and the enhancement of its technical capabilities to prevent illicit arms transfers. Second, we continue to advocate for greater transparency and accountability in implementing this mandate, including through stronger oversight role of the Sanctions Committee, particularly with respect to the disposal, destruction and transfer of the seized items. Third, the A3 urges the European Union to strengthen, through the Irini command, its cooperation with the Libyan government, particularly in the areas of intelligence sharing, capacity building and coordination, and coordination of the most effective means to enforce the embargo. Such collaboration will enable the Libyan authorities to assume full ownership of their sovereign security responsibilities.

Fourth, the issue of fuel smuggling in Libya has reached an alarming magnitude. Recent reports indicated that between 2022 and 2024, this illicit activity deprived the Libyan state of an estimated $20 billion in revenue. This vital national resource has been systematically exploited with profound repercussions. The Libyan people are denied essential funds needed for social welfare and economic development, while the proceeds of these criminal activities further bolstered armed groups seeking to undermine state authority in Libya. This smuggled fuel is also used to sustain the machinery of war in Sudan and Sahel, often with active support of external actors.

In this regard, we trust that the government of Libya and the European Union will continue their discussions and explore the best avenues for cooperation to address this urgent issue. Mr. President, accountability remains the silent note. The silent note in this unresolved symphony, Operation Irini intercepts vessels, trace the origins of weapons and identifies their suppliers, yet no meaningful action follows. This persistent inaction not only emboldens those who violate the embargo, but also undermines the authority of and moral standing of this very Council. We therefore urge this Council to shoulder its historic responsibility and ensure that those who violate the arms embargo and foment instability in Libya are finally held to account.

In conclusion, the A3 reaffirms its unwavering commitment to Libya's sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity. We reiterate our call for the full and unconditional withdrawal of all foreign forces, foreign fighters and mercenaries. We also renew our support for Libyan led and Libyan owned political process facilitated by the United nations, which paves the way for sustainable solution and restores hope to millions of Libyans. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Algeria for the settlement and I'll give the floor to the representative of the United Kingdom.

Thank you, President. The United Kingdom would like to thank the penholders, France and Greece, for their efforts to secure broad support for this resolution renewing the authorisation for Operation Irini. We were pleased to vote in favour of this resolution. The UN arms embargo, which Operation Irini helps enforce, plays a critical role in supporting security and stability in Libya and creating the conditions of for progress in the political process. Operation Irini, alongside Member States, helps to ensure robust implementation of the arms embargo and is deepening its strategic partnership with the Libyan authorities in support of Libya's sovereignty and security.

The adoption of this resolution sends a clear message. The international community remains committed to limiting the flow of weapons that fuel conflict and instability in Libya. President, the United Kingdom remains committed to supporting an inclusive Libyan led and Libyan owned political process facilitated by the United Nations. I thank you.

I thank the representative of the United Kingdom for the statement and I'll give the floor to the representative of Pakistan.

Thank you, Mr. President. Pakistan has voted in favor of the resolution which provides for a technical rollover of the provision set out in Resolution 2780 for six months. We acknowledge the work of the European Union Naval Mediterranean Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI My delegation believes that the extension of the time period will provide an opportunity for the relevant parties to critically assess the continued practical effectiveness of the measures contained in the resolution. We say this because data from the last two reports of the Secretary General indicate no substantial results with respect to the seizure of prohibited items. Mr. President, looking ahead, Pakistan reiterates the importance of robust and sustained coordination with the Libyan authorities and institutions in the implementation of the authorizations related to vessel inspections.

This point has also been reflected in the latest report of the Secretary General. We are convinced that enhancing the capacity building and training of the relevant Libyan departments will contribute to more effective implementation of the arms embargo while simultaneously preparing them to progressively assume full responsibility for conducting such operations independently in the future. In conclusion, Pakistan reaffirms its steadfast commitment to Libya's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Pakistan for the statement.

I now give the floor to the representative of Denmark.

Thank you, Mr. President. Denmark welcomes the adoption of today's resolution extending the authorizations to expect vessels on the high seas off the coast of Libya. We express our sincere appreciation to the penholders, France and Greece for their efforts in this regard. President, as we witnessed earlier this year when clashes between heavily armed groups erupted in Tripoli, the proliferation of arms continues to fuel instability in Libya.

It is this Council's collective responsibility to ensure robust enforcement of the arms embargo. As the only operational regional Mechanism Implementing Resolution 2780, EU Operation Irini remains a key pillar in these efforts. While actively disrupting illicit arm flows, it also collects valuable information which is shared with the Libya panel of experts. This information sharing mechanism is vital as it promotes accountability for violations while deterring future violations and further serves to inform the work of the council. Mr. President, strict enforcement of the arms embargo remains essential to reducing violence against civilians, preventing further military buildup and limiting the influence of foreign fighters in Libya.

In the absence of other enforcement and compliance mechanisms, Operation Irini must be able to continue its essential work. We call on all states to cooperate fully with Irini and to fulfill the applications under the arms embargo to ensure that the arms embargo is not just a legal instrument but an effective tool for peace and stability across the region. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Denmark for the statement and I'll give the floor to the representative of the United States.

The United States continues to support effective implementation of the UN Libya arms embargo as we work to enable Libya to take responsibility for its own security.

This authority is an important mechanism to allow Member States to enforce the arms embargo and prevent widespread weapons trafficking, a key priority articulated by this Council. We welcome further consultations with the Libyans about arrangements going forward. We thank the EU Naval Operation Force Areni for its dedication of resources to monitor and disrupt illicit activities off the coast of Libya. Operation Irini serves a critical information sharing function, especially with the Libya panel of experts. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the United States for the statement. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. The meeting is adjourned.