Explainer: How the UN Plans to Unite Libya

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Series Details 12.10.17
Publication Date 12/10/2017
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Background

The United Nations Support Mission for Libya (UNSMIL) is an integrated special political mission established on 16 September 2011 by UN Security Council Resolution 2009 (2011) at the request of the Libyan authorities to support the country's new transitional authorities in their post-conflict efforts. UNSMIL’s mandate was modified and extended by the Security Council in resolutions 2022 (2011), 2040 (2012), 2095 (2013), 2144 (2014), 2238 (2015) and 2323 (2016). Its current mandate is valid until 15 September 2017.

All UN activities in Libya are guided by the principle of national ownership. The Mission under the leadership of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), supported by a Deputy SRSG, is overseen by the United Nations’ Department of Political Affairs, which provides guidance and operational assistance.

UNSMIL has substantive staff in political affairs, human rights, transitional justice, mine action, demobilization, development, women’s empowerment, public information and communication, as well as support staff.

Unanimously adopting resolution 2323 in December 2016, the Security Council mandated UNSMIL, in full accordance with the principles of national ownership, to exercise mediation and good offices in support of the Libyan political agreement’s implementation; the consolidation of governance, security and economic arrangements of the Government of National Accord and subsequent phases of the Libyan transition process.

Further, UNSMIL, within operational and security constraints, should support key Libyan institutions and provide, upon request, essential services and humanitarian assistance. Among other mandated functions, UNSMIL is tasked with monitoring and reporting on human rights; support for securing uncontrolled arms and counter-proliferation; and the co-ordination of international assistance and the provision of advice and assistance to efforts led by the Government of National Accord to stabilise post-conflict zones, including those liberated from ISIL. In this video, Tim Eaton explains the UN-brokered plan to bring the different rival factions in Libya together in order to govern the country going forwards.

The United Nations’ Action Plan, September 2017 sought to amend the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) that spawned the Government of National Accord, pass a constitution and hold presidential and parliamentary elections.

Source Link Link to Main Source https://www.chathamhouse.org/file/explainer-how-un-plans-unite-libya
Related Links
Chatham House: Expert Comment, 14.12.17: UN Libya Talks Have a Narrow Window to Avoid Stalemate https://www.chathamhouse.org/expert/comment/un-libya-talks-have-narrow-window-avoid-stalemate
UN: News, 16.11.17: UN plan for post-conflict transition in Libya makes headway, Security Council told http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=58106
EU: EEAS: Statement, 21.09.17: EU supports Libyans to find a way out of the crisis https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/libya/32589/eu-supports-libyans-find-way-out-crisis_en
ESO: Background information: EU confirms its engagement in support of Libyan institutions (EU: EEAS, August 2017) http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-confirms-its-engagement-in-support-of-libyan-institutions/
Euro|Topics: Debates, July 2017: Will Macron secure peace in Libya? (et al) http://www.europeansources.info/record/will-macron-secure-peace-in-libya/
UN: United Nations Support Mission for Libya (UNSMIL) https://unsmil.unmissions.org/

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