The impasse has gone on for far too long

Madam President,

I would like to begin by thanking the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, Ms. Hanna Tetteh, for her briefing and her efforts to promote an inclusive political solution in Libya. France fully supports her work and calls upon all Libyan actors to seize this opportunity and engage in good faith in this process so that the Libyan people may live in a stable, sovereign, and united country.

Madam President,

I wish to emphasize four points:

First, UN mediation, through its roadmap and the dialogue undertaken with Libyan stakeholders, charts a clear course: to reunify Libyan institutions and enable the holding of presidential and parliamentary elections.

We will continue to support UNSMIL’s pragmatic efforts to achieve the objectives set out in the roadmap. These are clear demands coming from the Libyan people.

We encourage Libyan political actors to commit to this path, in a constructive way and with responsibility, in order to overcome their differences. As we have already recalled, maintaining the status quo is more costly than seeking a compromise.

Second, Libya’s unity is an essential condition for its stability and its ability to address security threats.

The security situation remains volatile, as illustrated by the recent drone strikes against energy infrastructure in Zawiya and the assassination of the director of military intelligence for the Libyan National Army in Benghazi.

The reunification of the army and security services is a priority. It requires a unified government at the national level, which is essential for ensuring lasting security and stability.

It is also essential that the withdrawal of mercenaries, combatants, and foreign forces present in Libya continue, so that the country can regain its full sovereignty.

Third, greater budgetary transparency and a more balanced distribution of national wealth, for the benefit of the Libyan people, are necessary.

The lack of political unity fuels the socioeconomic difficulties faced by the Libyan population. We encourage any initiative aimed at Libya’s economic reunification. France is closely monitoring the implementation of the “Unified Development Program,” which promotes the efficient and transparent management of public resources. France encourages Libyan stakeholders to support the efforts of Libyan institutions, particularly the Central Bank, in this regard.

The fight against corruption and illicit trafficking must also be strengthened. France is concerned about oil shortages across the country, which affect the most vulnerable populations, while criminal trafficking networks grow richer. It is vital to restore the independence and full control of the national oil company to combat this scourge. This institution must be able to guarantee that the wealth it exploits remains a national asset.

Madam President,

The human rights situation in Libya remains a source of concern.

We call upon all Libyan parties to respect the fundamental rights of both Libyan nationals and migrants. Tangible measures are essential to combat human trafficking and violations of international law and human rights.

The fight against disinformation and hate speech is also necessary. We support UNSMIL’s work in this regard.

Madam President,

In conclusion, France reiterates its support for Libya’s unity, stability, and sovereignty. The impasse has gone on for far too long. It is incumbent upon this Council to work with resolve toward an inclusive political solution, which the Libyan people and the entire international community are calling for.

Thank you.