April 17, 2025
I would like to begin by thanking Ms. Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for her briefing, and to welcome the presence with us of Mr. Taher M. El-Sonni, Permanent Representative of Libya.
Fourteen years after the revolution, the aspirations of the Libyan people for a better future remain. That is why our Council must continue to support the United Nations efforts to get out of the current deadlock and relaunch a Libyan-led political process, for the Libyans. Only the conclusion of this process will enable Libya to restore its unity, stability, and sovereignty to ensure the prosperity of the Libyan people.
France today would like to addresss four main messages.
1/ First, to you, Ms. Special Representative, we reiterate our full support for the mission entrusted to you by the Secretary-General. The support of the United Nations is essential for the resumption of the political process in Libya. We welcome the work carried out by the advisory committee established under the auspices of UNSMIL in order to provide recommendations.
2/ Second, the Libyan forces must urgently agree on a plan for Libya. The devaluation of the dinar is a warning sign. There is an urgent need to go beyond the standoff and to form a new unified government able to organise presidential and legislative elections as soon as possible, in accordance with the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people and Security Council resolutions. France calls on all Libyan and international actors to cooperate with the Special Representative to enable the resemption of this political process, and recalls on them to overcome the political wrangling for control of the Libyan institutions. It is necessary to end the crisis at the head of the High State Council and to preserve the independence of the Libyan Audit Bureau to guarantee the transparency and accountability of the Libyan institutions. This requirement for transparency must also be reflected on the economic front in order to improve the governance of financial institutions. Respect for the independence and integrity of financial institutions and the implementation of reforms are essential, as well as an agreement on a unified budget and on the implementation of mechanisms for the equitable and transparent distribution of resources, primarly oil resources. On that point, the continuing illicit exploitation and exportation of oil is a cause of concern.
3/ Third message, the security situation in Libya, which remains fragile. The political impasse is fueling insecurity and instability in the country. That is why our Council must focus its efforts on three goals. First, support the coordination efforts of security actors in the west and the east, which have already begun. An increase of tensions in recent weeks, particularly in the Tripoli region, illustrates the growing hold of militias and reminds us of the urgent need to reunify Libya’s military and security institutions. Second, we must strengthen our support for UNSMIL in implementing the plan to withdraw all foreign forces, foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libya’s territory, endorsed by the United Nations in 2021. Finally, respect for the arms embargo is imperative to assist Libya in restoring its security and management of its borders. The authorizations set up by this Council since 2016 to enable Member States and regional organizations to inspect vessels suspected of violating the arms embargo contribute to this aim, in particular through the European Union’s Operation IRINI.
4/ Finally, human rights violations in Libya are a cause of concern, particularly arbitrary detentions and arrests. The measures taken to restrict the space for civil society and the action of NGOs authorized to work in Libya are not a step in the right direction. In contrast, the access recently granted by the Libyan authorities to some detention centers is an encouraging step and must be continued. France supports the United Nations’ call to put and end to impunity for the most serious crimes. We call on the Libyan authorities to ramp up their efforts to ensure that the rights of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers are protected, with the assistance of international organizations. On the humanitarian front, we encourage the Libyan authorities to facilitate access for humanitarian actors and ensure their protection.
France will stand by Libya and the Libyan people so that this country can restore its unity, stability and sovereignty and enable its people to fully embrace their new future. We are fully committed to work with the Special Representative, to whom we extend our best wishes and encouragement.
Thank you.