Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam called for theimplementation of commitments made at the Berlin Conference on Libya lastJanuary to be promoted at an online meeting of the UN Security Council (UNSC)on July 8.
Aside from UNSC members, this event was alsoattended by representatives of Libya, its neighbouring countries, and thenations and regional organisations present at the Berlin Conference.
In his remarks, UN Secretary-General AntónioGuterres voiced concerns about the alarming military build-up with foreigninterference reaching unprecedented levels in Libya. He also condemned attackson civilians and civilian facilities, including 21 attacks on medicalfacilities since the year’s beginning.
He repeated countries’ pledge to promote apeaceful solution to the conflict in Libya and urged relevant parties in thiscountry to immediately cease fighting, resume negotiations and ensure fullhumanitarian access amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Secretary-General noted he directly liaisedwith leaders of parties in Libya to promote these issues, stressing that therelevant sides in Libya and UN member states have the responsibility for fullyimplementing the UNSC arms embargo on Libya.
At the meeting, countries and regionalorganisations also expressed their concerns about the Libya conflict amidCOVID-19, called for peace talks to be resumed with the help of the UN SupportMission in Libya (UNSMIL), and underlined the importance of ending foreigninterference and fully adhering to the UNSC arms embargo.
Foreign Minister of Germany, which holds theUNSC Presidency in July, Heiko Maas suggested a demilitarised zone be createdaround Sirte city in the context that a long-term ceasefire agreement has yetto be reached.
Some countries stressed the necessity to dealwith violations of the international human rights and humanitarian laws inLibya.
Meanwhile, a Libyan representative reaffirmedthat the existing administration in Libya – the Government of National Accord –is the sole legitimate government of the country, asking the internationalcommunity and the UNSC to take more concrete actions to promote conflictsettlement.
For his part, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head ofVietnam’s permanent mission to the UN, reiterated the importance of promotingthe commitments made at the Berlin Conference on Libya, which were supported byUNSC Resolution 2510.
He urged relevant parties in this country toimmediately stop fighting and return to the peace talks encompassing political,military and economic strands.
Quy also recognised efforts by the UN, theUNSMIL, neighbouring countries of Libya and regional organisations in promotingpeace in this nation, while emphasising the significance of complying with theUNSC arms embargo on Libya.
The diplomat renewed Vietnam’s support forUNSMIL activities and shared the view on the need to appoint a new SpecialRepresentative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya to replace Ghassan Salamé,who resigned in early March.
The Libya conflict remains one of the fiercestarmed conflicts in the world at present despite a worldwide ceasefire appeal bythe UN Secretary-General in the face of COVID-19.
According to the UNSMIL, civilian casualtiesfrom the conflict in Libya surpassed 300 in the first half of 2020, up 172percent from the same period last year. More than 400,000 people have also madehomeless since April 2019.
Meanwhile, Libya recorded 1,182 infections ofCOVID-19, including 35 deaths, as of July 8./.
Aside from UNSC members, this event was alsoattended by representatives of Libya, its neighbouring countries, and thenations and regional organisations present at the Berlin Conference.
In his remarks, UN Secretary-General AntónioGuterres voiced concerns about the alarming military build-up with foreigninterference reaching unprecedented levels in Libya. He also condemned attackson civilians and civilian facilities, including 21 attacks on medicalfacilities since the year’s beginning.
He repeated countries’ pledge to promote apeaceful solution to the conflict in Libya and urged relevant parties in thiscountry to immediately cease fighting, resume negotiations and ensure fullhumanitarian access amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Secretary-General noted he directly liaisedwith leaders of parties in Libya to promote these issues, stressing that therelevant sides in Libya and UN member states have the responsibility for fullyimplementing the UNSC arms embargo on Libya.
At the meeting, countries and regionalorganisations also expressed their concerns about the Libya conflict amidCOVID-19, called for peace talks to be resumed with the help of the UN SupportMission in Libya (UNSMIL), and underlined the importance of ending foreigninterference and fully adhering to the UNSC arms embargo.
Foreign Minister of Germany, which holds theUNSC Presidency in July, Heiko Maas suggested a demilitarised zone be createdaround Sirte city in the context that a long-term ceasefire agreement has yetto be reached.
Some countries stressed the necessity to dealwith violations of the international human rights and humanitarian laws inLibya.
Meanwhile, a Libyan representative reaffirmedthat the existing administration in Libya – the Government of National Accord –is the sole legitimate government of the country, asking the internationalcommunity and the UNSC to take more concrete actions to promote conflictsettlement.
For his part, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head ofVietnam’s permanent mission to the UN, reiterated the importance of promotingthe commitments made at the Berlin Conference on Libya, which were supported byUNSC Resolution 2510.
He urged relevant parties in this country toimmediately stop fighting and return to the peace talks encompassing political,military and economic strands.
Quy also recognised efforts by the UN, theUNSMIL, neighbouring countries of Libya and regional organisations in promotingpeace in this nation, while emphasising the significance of complying with theUNSC arms embargo on Libya.
The diplomat renewed Vietnam’s support forUNSMIL activities and shared the view on the need to appoint a new SpecialRepresentative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya to replace Ghassan Salamé,who resigned in early March.
The Libya conflict remains one of the fiercestarmed conflicts in the world at present despite a worldwide ceasefire appeal bythe UN Secretary-General in the face of COVID-19.
According to the UNSMIL, civilian casualtiesfrom the conflict in Libya surpassed 300 in the first half of 2020, up 172percent from the same period last year. More than 400,000 people have also madehomeless since April 2019.
Meanwhile, Libya recorded 1,182 infections ofCOVID-19, including 35 deaths, as of July 8./.
VNA
