Archive for the ‘Libya’ Category

Security Council Approves No-Fly Zone over Libya …

Security Council

6498th Meeting (Night)

Demanding an immediate ceasefire in Libya, including an end to the current attacks against civilians, which it said might constitute crimes against humanity, the Security Council this evening imposed a ban on all flights in the countrys airspace a no-fly zone and tightened sanctions on the Qadhafi regime and its supporters.

Adopting resolution 1973 (2011) by a vote of 10 in favour to none against, with 5 abstentions (Brazil, China, Germany, India, Russian Federation), the Council authorized Member States, acting nationally or through regional organizations or arrangements, to take all necessary measures to protect civilians under threat of attack in the country, including Benghazi, while excluding a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory requesting them to immediately inform the Secretary-General of such measures.

Recognizing the important role of the League of Arab States in the maintenance of international peace and security in the region, and bearing in mind the United Nations Charters Chapter VIII, the Council asked the Leagues member States to cooperate with other Member States in implementing the no-fly zone.

The Council stressed the need to intensify efforts to find a solution to the crisis that responded to the legitimate demands of the Libyan people, noting actions being taken on the diplomatic front in that regard. It further demanded that Libyan authorities comply with their obligations under international law and take all measures to protect civilians and meet their basic needs and to ensure the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance.

In that connection, the Council specified that the flight ban would not apply to flights that had as their sole purpose humanitarian aid, the evacuation of foreign nationals, enforcing the ban or other purposes deemed necessary for the benefit of the Libyan people.

It further decided that all States should deny permission to any Libyan commercial aircraft to land in or take off from their territory unless a particular flight had been approved in advance by the committee that was established to monitor sanctions imposed by resolution 1970 (2011).

In tightening the asset freeze and arms embargo established by that resolution, the Council this evening further detailed conditions for inspections of transport suspected to be violating the embargo, requesting States enforcing the embargo to coordinate closely with each other and the Secretary-General on the measures they were taking towards implementation.

It requested the Secretary-Secretary to create an eight-member panel of experts to assist the Security Council committee in monitoring the sanctions.

Introducing the resolution, the Foreign Minister of France, Alain Jupp, said the situation on the ground is more alarming than ever, marked by the violent re-conquest of cities that have been released. The Security Council could not stand by and let the warmongers flout international legality. The world was experiencing a wave of great revolutions that would change the course of history, but the will of the Libyan people had been trampled under the feet of the Qadhafi regime. Earlier Council measures had been ignored and violence against Libyan civilians had redoubled.

He said that the urgent need to protect the civilian population had led to the elaboration of the current resolution, which authorized the Arab League and those Member States wishing to do so to take all measures to protect areas that were being threatened by the Qadhafi regime. We have very little time left perhaps only a matter of hours, he said, adding that each hour and day that passed increased the weight on the international communitys shoulders.

Speaking after the vote, representatives who had supported the text agreed that the strong action was made necessary because the Qadhafi regime had not heeded the first actions of the Council and was on the verge of even greater violence against civilians as it closed in on areas previously dominated by opposition in the east of the country. They stressed that the objective was solely to protect civilians from further harm.

Lebanons speaker stressed that the text would not result in the occupation of one inch of Libyan territory by foreign forces. The representative of the United Kingdom pledged that partners in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Arab League were now ready to act to support the text.

The representative of the United States said that today, the Council had responded to the Libyan peoples cry for help. The Councils purpose was clear: to protect Libyan civilians. The Security Council had authorized the use of force, including enforcement of a no-fly zone, to protect civilians and civilian areas targeted by Colonel Muammar Al-Qadhafi, his allied forces and mercenaries.

The representatives of China and the Russian Federation, explaining their abstentions, prioritized peaceful means of resolving the conflict and said that many questions had not been answered in regard to provisions of the resolution, including, as the Russian representative put it, how and by whom the measures would be enforced and what the limits of the engagement would be. He said the resolution included a sorely needed ceasefire, which he had called for earlier. China had not blocked the action with a negative vote in consideration of the wishes of the Arab League and the African Union, its representative said.

The delegations of India, Germany and Brazil, having also abstained, equally stressed the need for peaceful resolution of the conflict and warned against unintended consequences of armed intervention.

Statements were also made made by the representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Portugal, Nigeria and South Africa.

The meeting was opened at 6:25 p.m. and closed at 7:20 p.m.

Action on Draft

Speaking before the vote, ALAIN JUPP, Minister for Foreign Affairs of France, said the world was experiencing a wave of great revolutions that would change the course of history, as people throughout North Africa and the Middle East were calling for a breath of fresh air, for freedom of expression and democracy. Such calls for democratic transition had echoed through Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco. Everyone had witnessed the events with great hope and he believed this new Arab springtime is good news for all. The changes required the international community not to give lessons, but to help the people of those countries build a new future.

Yet, he said, while such transitions in other countries had not been met with extreme violence, the will of the Libyan people had been trampled under the feet of the Qadhafi regime, as Colonel Muammar Al-Qadhafi mercilessly attacked his own people. In light of those actions, the international community had responded swiftly; the General Assembly had suspended the country from the Human Rights Council, determining that the systematic and widespread attacks could constitute crimes against humanity. In addition, the Security Councils earlier resolution had called for an immediate end to the violence and had referred the situation in Libya to the International Criminal Court.

Unfortunately, those measures had not been enough and violence against Libyan civilians had been redoubled, he said. Again, the international community had acted with unanimity, particularly through the League of Arab States call on the Security Council to enact a no-fly zone and the African Unions strong call for an end to the violence. Yet, the situation on the ground is more alarming than ever, marked by the violent re-conquest of cities that have been released, he said, stressing that the Security Council could not stand by and let the warmongers flout international legality.

In light of that, France had been working assiduously with the United Kingdom, the United States and other members of the international community calling for means to protect the civilian population. Those efforts had led to the elaboration of the current resolution, which authorized the Arab League and those Member States wishing to do so to take all measures to protect areas that were being threatened by the Qadhafi regime. We have very little time left perhaps only a matter of hours, he said, adding that each hour and day that passed increased the weight on the international communitys shoulders. The Security Council had acted to ensure that democracy prevailed.

The Council then adopted resolution 1973 (2011) by a vote of 10 in favour to none against, with 5 abstentions (Brazil, China, Germany, India, Russian Federation).

NAWAF SALAM (Lebanon) said that Libya was suffering heavily, with hundreds of victims dying and thousands displaced. Faced with those risks and the great danger of those crimes, the United Nations had acted earlier, but Colonel Qadhafi had not heeded those actions. Lebanon, agreeing with the League of Arab States, had then called on the Security Council to establish measures to protect civilians. The Libyan authorities had lost all their legitimacy and the resolution was aimed at protecting Libyan civilians.

He stressed that the resolution would not have as a consequence occupation of even an inch of Libyan territory. He hoped that the resolution would have a deterrent role and end the Libyan authorities use of force. He reaffirmed full support for the countys sovereignty, the need for full cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States, pursuant to Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter, and the necessity of a peaceful solution to the situation. The resolution was fraught with hope for Libya and its people, he concluded.

MARK LYALL GRANT (United Kingdom), agreeing that the Libyan regime had lost legitimacy, had violated the Councils resolutions and was on the verge of assaulting Benghazi, said he had pressed for the early adoption of the current resolution. He pledged that partners in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Arab League were now ready to act to support the text. The resolution put the United Nations clearly behind the highest values of the Organization.

PETER WITTIG (Germany) said the Security Councils intention was to stop the violence in Libya and send a message to Colonel Qadhafi and his associates that their time is over [and] they must relinquish power immediately. While the Council acted on Libya, North Africa was undergoing major political changes, meriting the international communitys full support. The aim should be to promote political transition in Libya, stop the violence and begin a true political process. The people of Libya who have so clearly expressed their aspirations for democracy should be supported, he said, adding that the Interim National Council was an important interlocutor in that regard.

He said his country was particularly concerned by the plight of the Libyan people and believed it was crucial to tighten existing sanctions to cut [the Libyan regime] off from the funds that had propped it up for so long. Decisions regarding the use of military force were always extremely difficult to take. Indeed, in the implementation of the resolution just adopted, Germany saw great risks, and the likelihood of large-scale loss of life should not be underestimated. Those that participated in its implementation could be drawn into a protracted military conflict that could draw in the wider region. If the resolution failed, it would be wrong to assume that any military intervention would be quickly and efficiently carried out. Germany had decided not to support the resolution and would not contribute its own forces to any military effort that arose from its implementation. Germany had abstained from the vote.

SUSAN RICE (United States) said that today, the Council had responded to the Libyan peoples cry for help. The Councils purpose was clear: to protect Libyan civilians. The Council had adopted an earlier resolution that had sent a strong message, but Colonel Qadhafi and those that still stood by him had continued to grossly and systematically violate the most fundamental rights of the Libyan people. The Arab League had subsequently called on the Council to take more stringent measures, and the current resolution was an answer to that call, as well as a strong response to the situation in the ground.

She said the Security Council had authorized the use of force, including enforcement of a no-fly zone, to protect civilians and civilian areas targeted by Colonel Qadhafi, his allied forces and mercenaries. The text also tightened measures already approved under resolution 1970 (2011). In addition, it established a panel of experts to monitor short- and long-term implementation of the sanctions. She stressed that the future of Libya should be decided by the Libyan people. The United States stood with the people of Libya in their struggle to exercise their fundamental rights.

MANJEEV SINGH PURI ( India), explaining his abstention, expressed great concern over the welfare of the population of Libya and supported the appointment of the Secretary-Generals Envoy. The report of that Envoy and that of others had not yet been received. As a consequence, todays resolution was based on very little clear information, including a lack of certainty regarding who was going to enforce the measures. There must be certainty that negative outcomes were not likely before such wide-ranging measures were adopted. Political efforts must be the priority in resolving the situation.

MARIA LUIZA RIBERIO VIOTTI (Brazil) said her delegation was deeply concerned about the situation in Libya and regretted that the strong message sent by resolution 1970 (2011) had note yet been heeded. The Brazilian Government had earlier condemned the violence being carried out by Libyan authorities and had called on them to uphold and protect the right of free expression of the protesters and to seek a solution to the crisis through meaningful dialogue. Her delegations vote today should in no way be interpreted as condoning the behaviour of the Libyan authorities or as disregard for the need to protect civilians and respect for their rights.

She said that while Brazil stood in solidarity with all movements in the region expressing their legitimate demands for better governance, and had taken into account the Arab Leagues call for strong measures to stop the violence through a no-fly zone, it believed that the resolution contemplated measures that went beyond that call. We are not convinced that the use of force as provided for in operative paragraph 4 of the present resolution will lead to the realization of our common objective the immediate end of violence and the protection of civilians, she said, adding that Brazil was also concerned that the measures approved today might have the unintended effect of exacerbating the current tensions on the ground and causing more harm than good to the very same civilians we are committed to protecting. No military action alone would succeed in ending the conflict. Protecting civilians, ensuring lasting settlement and addressing the legitimate demands of Libyan citizens demanded a political process.

IVAN BARBALI (Bosnia and Herzegovina) reiterated his delegations grave concern about the rapidly deteriorating situation in Libya. The Libyan people desperately needed humanitarian assistance, and the unimpeded access of that relief was an absolute necessity. He called on Libyan authorities to end their violence against the Libyan people and he believed the resolution was an answer to their legitimate call and to the call of regional organizations.

NSTOR OSORIO (Colombia) said his delegation was convinced that the purpose of the new resolution was essentially humanitarian and was conducive to bringing about conditions that would lead to the protection of civilians under attack from a regime that had lost all legitimacy. The Council had acted because the Government, through its actions, had shown that it was not up to protecting and promoting the rights of its people.

Colombia deplored the fact that the measures under resolution 1970 (2011) had not been heeded. It was also concerned that the current text had not been adopted unanimously. Colombia believed that the best way to ratchet up the pressure on the Qadhafi regime was to impose a no-fly zone, as called for by the League of Arab States. The grave situation on the ground made it clear that all conditions were present for the Council to enact further measures and tighten the sanctions approved under resolution 1970 (2011).

VITALY CHURKIN (Russian Federation) said he had abstained, although his countrys position opposing violence against civilians in Libya was clear. Work on the resolution was not in keeping with Security Council practice, with many questions having remained unanswered, including how it would be enforced and by whom, and what the limits of engagement would be. His country had not prevented the adoption of the resolution, but he was convinced that an immediate ceasefire was the best way to stop the loss of life. His country, in fact, had pressed earlier for a resolution calling for such a ceasefire, which could have saved many additional lives. Cautioning against unpredicted consequences, he stressed that there was a need to avoid further destabilization in the region.

JOS FILIPE MORAES CABRAL (Portugal) said his country had voted in favour of the text because the attacks against civilians had continued after the passage of the last Council resolution, and conditions were deteriorating. He affirmed that todays resolution addressed his countrys priorities, including protecting civilians, facilitation of unimpeded humanitarian aid, promotion of a national dialogue and guarantees for the territorial integrity and independence of Libya. He supported all diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation.

U. JOY OGWU (Nigeria) said the resolution had been necessitated by the persistently grave and dire situation in Libya. The current State of affairs leaves an indelible imprint on the conscience and compels us to act, she said, adding that her delegations persistent calls for peace were rooted in the need to ensure the protection of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those most in need, many of whom were Nigerian nationals. The League of Arab States and the African Union had spoken with one voice in condemnation of the situation in Libya.

She said that while her delegation had supported the current text, it also believed that foreign occupation was not an option to ensure peace. Nigeria supported language in the current text that negated that possibility. Nigeria was also encouraged by the fact that the political path to a solution was endorsed in the text. Today, we have sent an unequivocal message to the Libyan people that the dignity and safety of every man woman and child is paramount, she said, adding that when the fate of innocent civilians was in question, the international community, undaunted, must be ready to respond.

BASO SANGQU (South Africa) said his delegation was deeply concerned by what was fast becoming a civil war in Libya. He hoped it could be resolved in a peaceful manner, according to the will of the Libyan people. Any solution must also preserve the solidarity and integrity of Libya and, as such, South Africa supported the dispatch by the African Union of a special mission to the country. He encouraged that mission to work closely with the Secretary-Generals newly appointed Special Envoy on finding a peaceful solution.

He said that South Africa regretted that the Councils previous resolution had not been heeded and believed that by adopting the current text, the Council had acted responsibly to answer the call of Libyan people. It would also speed humanitarian assistance to those that needed it most. He hoped the letter and spirit of the present resolution would be implemented in full.

Security Council President LI BAODONG (China), speaking in his national capacity, said that the continuing deterioration of the situation in Libya was of great concern to China. However, the United Nations Charter must be respected and the current crisis must be ended through peaceful means. China was always against the use of force when those means were not exhausted. His delegation had asked specific questions that failed to be answered and, therefore, it had serious difficulty with the resolution. It had not blocked the passage of the resolution, however, because it attached great importance to the requests of the Arab League and the African Union. At the same time, he supported the efforts of the Secretary-Generals Envoy to resolve the situation by peaceful means.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1973 (2011) reads as follows:

The Security Council,

Recalling its resolution 1970 (2011) of 26 February 2011,

Deploring the failure of the Libyan authorities to comply with resolution 1970 (2011),

Expressing grave concern at the deteriorating situation, the escalation of violence, and the heavy civilian casualties,

Reiterating the responsibility of the Libyan authorities to protect the Libyan population and reaffirming that parties to armed conflicts bear the primary responsibility to take all feasible steps to ensure the protection of civilians,

Condemning the gross and systematic violation of human rights, including arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, torture and summary executions,

Further condemning acts of violence and intimidation committed by the Libyan authorities against journalists, media professionals and associated personnel and urging these authorities to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law as outlined in resolution 1738 (2006),

Considering that the widespread and systematic attacks currently taking place in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya against the civilian population may amount to crimes against humanity,

Recalling paragraph 26 of resolution 1970 (2011) in which the Council expressed its readiness to consider taking additional appropriate measures, as necessary, to facilitate and support the return of humanitarian agencies and make available humanitarian and related assistance in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,

Expressing its determination to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian populated areas and the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance and the safety of humanitarian personnel,

Recalling the condemnation by the League of Arab States, the African Union and the Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference of the serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law that have been and are being committed in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,

Taking note of the final communiqu of the Organization of the Islamic Conference of 8 March 2011, and the communiqu of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union of 10 March 2011 which established an ad hoc High-Level Committee on Libya,

Taking note also of the decision of the Council of the League of Arab States of 12 March 2011 to call for the imposition of a no-fly zone on Libyan military aviation, and to establish safe areas in places exposed to shelling as a precautionary measure that allows the protection of the Libyan people and foreign nationals residing in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,

Taking note further of the Secretary-Generals call on 16 March 2011 for an immediate ceasefire,

Recalling its decision to refer the situation in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya since 15 February 2011 to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, and stressing that those responsible for or complicit in attacks targeting the civilian population, including aerial and naval attacks, must be held to account,

Reiterating its concern at the plight of refugees and foreign workers forced to flee the violence in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, welcoming the response of neighbouring States, in particular Tunisia and Egypt, to address the needs of those refugees and foreign workers, and calling on the international community to support those efforts,

Deploring the continuing use of mercenaries by the Libyan authorities,

Considering that the establishment of a ban on all flights in the airspace of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya constitutes an important element for the protection of civilians as well as the safety of the delivery of humanitarian assistance and a decisive step for the cessation of hostilities in Libya,

Expressing concern also for the safety of foreign nationals and their rights in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,

Welcoming the appointment by the Secretary General of his Special Envoy to Libya, Mr. Abdul Ilah Mohamed Al-Khatib and supporting his efforts to find a sustainable and peaceful solution to the crisis in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,

Determining that the situation in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security,

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

1. Demands the immediate establishment of a ceasefire and a complete end to violence and all attacks against, and abuses of, civilians;

2. Stresses the need to intensify efforts to find a solution to the crisis which responds to the legitimate demands of the Libyan people and notes the decisions of the Secretary-General to send his Special Envoy to Libya and of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union to send its ad hoc High-Level Committee to Libya with the aim of facilitating dialogue to lead to the political reforms necessary to find a peaceful and sustainable solution;

3. Demands that the Libyan authorities comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, human rights and refugee law and take all measures to protect civilians and meet their basic needs, and to ensure the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance;

Protection of civilians

4. Authorizes Member States that have notified the Secretary-General, acting nationally or through regional organizations or arrangements, and acting in cooperation with the Secretary-General, to take all necessary measures, notwithstanding paragraph 9 of resolution 1970 (2011), to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, including Benghazi, while excluding a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory, and requests the Member States concerned to inform the Secretary-General immediately of the measures they take pursuant to the authorization conferred by this paragraph which shall be immediately reported to the Security Council;

5. Recognizes the important role of the League of Arab States in matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security in the region, and bearing in mind Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, requests the Member States of the League of Arab States to cooperate with other Member States in the implementation of paragraph 4;

No-fly zone

6. Decides to establish a ban on all flights in the airspace of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in order to help protect civilians;

7. Decides further that the ban imposed by paragraph 6 shall not apply to flights whose sole purpose is humanitarian, such as delivering or facilitating the delivery of assistance, including medical supplies, food, humanitarian workers and related assistance, or evacuating foreign nationals from the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, nor shall it apply to flights authorised by paragraphs 4 or 8, nor other flights which are deemed necessary by States acting under the authorization conferred in paragraph 8 to be for the benefit of the Libyan people, and that these flights shall be coordinated with any mechanism established under paragraph 8;

8. Authorizes Member States that have notified the Secretary-General and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, acting nationally or through regional organizations or arrangements, to take all necessary measures to enforce compliance with the ban on flights imposed by paragraph 6 above, as necessary, and requests the States concerned in cooperation with the League of Arab States to coordinate closely with the Secretary General on the measures they are taking to implement this ban, including by establishing an appropriate mechanism for implementing the provisions of paragraphs 6 and 7 above,

9. Calls upon all Member States, acting nationally or through regional organizations or arrangements, to provide assistance, including any necessary overflight approvals, for the purposes of implementing paragraphs 4, 6, 7 and 8 above;

10. Requests the Member States concerned to coordinate closely with each other and the Secretary-General on the measures they are taking to implement paragraphs 4, 6, 7 and 8 above, including practical measures for the monitoring and approval of authorised humanitarian or evacuation flights;

11. Decides that the Member States concerned shall inform the Secretary-General and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States immediately of measures taken in exercise of the authority conferred by paragraph 8 above, including to supply a concept of operations;

12. Requests the Secretary-General to inform the Council immediately of any actions taken by the Member States concerned in exercise of the authority conferred by paragraph 8 above and to report to the Council within 7 days and every month thereafter on the implementation of this resolution, including information on any violations of the flight ban imposed by paragraph 6 above;

Enforcement of the arms embargo

13. Decides that paragraph 11 of resolution 1970 (2011) shall be replaced by the following paragraph : Calls upon all Member States, in particular States of the region, acting nationally or through regional organisations or arrangements, in order to ensure strict implementation of the arms embargo established by paragraphs 9 and 10 of resolution 1970 (2011), to inspect in their territory, including seaports and airports, and on the high seas, vessels and aircraft bound to or from the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, if the State concerned has information that provides reasonable grounds to believe that the cargo contains items the supply, sale, transfer or export of which is prohibited by paragraphs 9 or 10 of resolution 1970 (2011) as modified by this resolution, including the provision of armed mercenary personnel, calls upon all flag States of such vessels and aircraft to cooperate with such inspections and authorises Member States to use all measures commensurate to the specific circumstances to carry out such inspections;

14. Requests Member States which are taking action under paragraph 13 above on the high seas to coordinate closely with each other and the Secretary-General and further requests the States concerned to inform the Secretary-General and the Committee established pursuant to paragraph 24 of resolution 1970 (2011) (the Committee) immediately of measures taken in the exercise of the authority conferred by paragraph 13 above;

15. Requires any Member State whether acting nationally or through regional organisations or arrangements, when it undertakes an inspection pursuant to paragraph 13 above, to submit promptly an initial written report to the Committee containing, in particular, explanation of the grounds for the inspection, the results of such inspection, and whether or not cooperation was provided, and, if prohibited items for transfer are found, further requires such Member States to submit to the Committee, at a later stage, a subsequent written report containing relevant details on the inspection, seizure, and disposal, and relevant details of the transfer, including a description of the items, their origin and intended destination, if this information is not in the initial report;

16. Deplores the continuing flows of mercenaries into the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and calls upon all Member States to comply strictly with their obligations under paragraph 9 of resolution 1970 (2011) to prevent the provision of armed mercenary personnel to the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya;

Ban on flights

17. Decides that all States shall deny permission to any aircraft registered in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya or owned or operated by Libyan nationals or companies to take off from, land in or overfly their territory unless the particular flight has been approved in advance by the Committee, or in the case of an emergency landing;

18. Decides that all States shall deny permission to any aircraft to take off from, land in or overfly their territory, if they have information that provides reasonable grounds to believe that the aircraft contains items the supply, sale, transfer, or export of which is prohibited by paragraphs 9 and 10 of resolution 1970 (2011) as modified by this resolution, including the provision of armed mercenary personnel, except in the case of an emergency landing;

Asset freeze

19. Decides that the asset freeze imposed by paragraph 17, 19, 20 and 21 of resolution 1970 (2011) shall apply to all funds, other financial assets and economic resources which are on their territories, which are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Libyan authorities, as designated by the Committee, or by individuals or entities acting on their behalf or at their direction, or by entities owned or controlled by them, as designated by the Committee, and decides further that all States shall ensure that any funds, financial assets or economic resources are prevented from being made available by their nationals or by any individuals or entities within their territories, to or for the benefit of the Libyan authorities, as designated by the Committee, or individuals or entities acting on their behalf or at their direction, or entities owned or controlled by them, as designated by the Committee, and directs the Committee to designate such Libyan authorities, individuals or entities within 30 days of the date of the adoption of this resolution and as appropriate thereafter;

20. Affirms its determination to ensure that assets frozen pursuant to paragraph 17 of resolution 1970 (2011) shall, at a later stage, as soon as possible be made available to and for the benefit of the people of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya;

21. Decides that all States shall require their nationals, persons subject to their jurisdiction and firms incorporated in their territory or subject to their jurisdiction to exercise vigilance when doing business with entities incorporated in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya or subject to its jurisdiction, and any individuals or entities acting on their behalf or at their direction, and entities owned or controlled by them, if the States have information that provides reasonable grounds to believe that such business could contribute to violence and use of force against civilians;

Designations

22. Decides that the individuals listed in Annex I shall be subject to the travel restrictions imposed in paragraphs 15 and 16 of resolution 1970 (2011), and decides further that the individuals and entities listed in Annex II shall be subject to the asset freeze imposed in paragraphs 17, 19, 20 and 21 of resolution 1970 (2011);

23. Decides that the measures specified in paragraphs 15, 16, 17, 19, 20 and 21 of resolution 1970 (2011) shall apply also to individuals and entities determined by the Council or the Committee to have violated the provisions of resolution 1970 (2011), particularly paragraphs 9 and 10 thereof, or to have assisted others in doing so;

View original post here:
Security Council Approves No-Fly Zone over Libya ...

Libya Herald

Libya

By Azza K. Maghur. Ottawa, 30 May 2018: Yesterday, President Emmanuel Macron managed to break the Libyan iceberg in Paris. He convened all four parties to the Libyan

Wednesday, 30 May, 2018Read More

By Sami Zaptia. London, 30 May 2018: Libyas Presidency Council Ministry of Economy has decided that payments for subsidised flour for bread must now be paid for by

Wednesday, 30 May, 2018Read More

By Sami Zaptia. London, 30 May 2018: Libyas Presidency Council Ministry of Justice announced that it has won two arbitration cases, one in Paris and one in Beirut

Wednesday, 30 May, 2018Read More

By Sami Zaptia. London, 30 May 2018: A joint communique was issued by Faiez Serraj, Ageela Saleh, Khaled Mishri and Khalifa Hafter at the end of the Paris

Wednesday, 30 May, 2018Read More

By Sami Zaptia. London, 29 May 2018: The High State Council (HSC) has granted the Tripoli-based Central Bank of Libya Governor, Saddek Elkaber, a limited period of time

Tuesday, 29 May, 2018Read More

By Sami Zaptia. London, 29 May 2018: The Faiez Serraj-led Presidency Council (PC) welcomed yesterdays call by the Supreme Judicial Council to the Attorney General to investigate corruption

Tuesday, 29 May, 2018Read More

By Sami Zaptia. London, 29 May 2018: Libyas Supreme Judiciary Council has urged the countrys Attorney General to carefully and promptly investigate the recently-released Audit Bureau 2017 Annual

Tuesday, 29 May, 2018Read More

By Sami Zaptia. London, 29 May 2018: The Tripoli-based Central Bank of Libya (CBL) issued yesterday what it called its initial response to the heavy criticism it had

Tuesday, 29 May, 2018Read More

By Sami Zaptia. London, 28 May 2018: The High State Council (HSC) voted yesterday its approval for the attendance of tomorrows Paris conference on Libya subject to

Monday, 28 May, 2018Read More

By Sami Zaptia. London, 28 May 2018: The Tripoli-based Central Bank of Libya has confirmed its decision to freeze public spending for non-essential sectors until an investigation is

Monday, 28 May, 2018Read More

By Sami Zaptia. London, 28 May 2018: The Libyan Audit Bureau said that despite increased oil production and increased oil revenues into the Libyan state coffers, this increase

Monday, 28 May, 2018Read More

By Sami Zaptia. London, 28 May 2018: France officially confirmed the long-leaked news that it will be holding a conference on Libya in its capital tomorrow. In an

Monday, 28 May, 2018Read More

By Sami Zaptia. London, 28 May 2018: The Tripoli Security Directorate denied on Saturday widely-circulating social media reports that the headquarters of the Faiez Serraj-led Presidency Council of

Monday, 28 May, 2018Read More

By Sami Zaptia. London, 25 May 2018: The UN has demanded urgent humanitarian access into the Libyan National Army-besieged city of Derna. The Hafter-led Libyan National Army (LNA)

Friday, 25 May, 2018Read More

By Sami Zaptia. London, 25 May 2018: The House of Representatives in Tobruk and the Presidency Council in Tripoli condemned in the strongest terms what they called the

Friday, 25 May, 2018Read More

Read more from the original source:
Libya Herald

Transcript: National security adviser John Bolton on "Face …

President Trump cheered this week's historic meeting between North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, applauding their agreementto denuclearize and seek peace.

"It's never gone this far," the presidentsaid on Friday, adding later that "this isn't like past administrations, we don't play games." The talks set the stage for Mr. Trump's own upcoming high-stakes summit with Kim, where he hopes the U.S. will make history in striking its own deal with the regime.

White House national security adviser John Bolton joined us to discuss North Korea, the upcoming summit and the future of the Iran nuclear deal.

The following is a transcript of the interview with Bolton that aired Sunday, April 29, 2018, on "Face the Nation."

BRENNAN: Good morning and welcome to "Face the Nation." I'm Margaret Brennan. We've got a lot to cover today and we begin with President Trump's new national security adviser, former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton. Welcome to the program.

BOLTON: Glad to be with you.

BRENNAN: You're just about three weeks on the job now you have this South Korean led diplomatic breakthrough. Do you believe that Kim Jong Un is ready to negotiate away his weapons or is he just trying to soften his image?

BOLTON: Well I don't think we know at this point. I think if he has made a strategic determination that- that North Korea would be better off without nuclear weapons then I think we've got something to talk about and I think the president would be eager to capitalize on the opportunity. But I think it's clear we're here where we are today because of the pressure that the Trump administration has put on North Korea. Economic pressure, political, military pressure. I think this is widely recognized president Moon of South Korea himself has repeatedly said the opportunities for the Olympics, the opportunity for the North-South summit would not have occurred without this pressure campaign. The Prime Ministers of Japan and Australia, the president of France, the chancellor of Germany have all said the same thing. So that's why we're here now. And I think it's up to the North Koreans to show us that they really do intend to give up nuclear weapons.

BRENNAN: Well arguably North Korea also walks in in a position of some strength- economic weakness perhaps but this nuclear program is further along than any past administration has encountered. So are-

BOLTON: Well because of the mistakes of 25 years of past administrations-

BRENNAN: -but is it a requirement that Kim Jong Un agree to give away those weapons before you give any kind of concession?

BOLTON: I think that's right. I think we're looking at the Libya model of 2003, 2004. We're also looking at what North Korea itself has committed to previously and most importantly I think going back over a quarter of a century to the 1992 joint North-South denuclearization agreement where North Korea committed to give up nuclear weapons and committed to give up uranium enrichment and plutonium reprocessing. Now we've got other issues to discuss as well; their ballistic missile programs, their biological and chemical weapons programs, their keeping of American hostages, the abduction of innocent Japanese and South Korean citizens over the years. So there's a lot to talk about.

BRENNAN: Will the U.S. accept this invitation from the North to inspect their nuclear site when it's taken down in May as promised?

BOLTON: Well we'll see exactly what that is, you know the-the

BRENNAN: Well the South says that's what the North promised

BOLTON: the North- the North. Well it's- it's interesting because we've been to this place before. I hope it's a sincere commitment by the North. But I'll just read you a sentence if I may. "In a gesture demonstrating its commitment to halt its nuclear weapons program, North Korea blew up the most prominent symbol of its plutonium production Friday. The destruction of the cooling tower bore witness to the incremental progress that has been made and U.S. led multilateral efforts to end North Korea's nuclear weapons program." June 27, 2008, New York Times. Now the selfsame New York Times last month reported that President Trump is going to have difficulty with North Korea because new satellite evidence suggests that North Korea is expanding its plutonium production. So- we want to see real commitment. We don't want to see propaganda from North Korea.

BRENNAN: You haven't seen such act-actions so far?

BOLTON: We've seen words-

BRENNAN: No dismantlement?

BOLTON: We've seen words so far.

BRENNAN: Continued development.

BOLTON: You've- They've said that they're going to give up nuclear testing and ballistic missile testing. They haven't conducted any recently. That's true. That could be a very positive sign or it could be a sign that they've reached the level of development where they don't need testing now. We've seen this in other contexts as well. President Trump is determined to see this opportunity through. Hopeful that we can get a real breakthrough, but we're not naive in the in the administration and-and a lot's going to ride on this meeting with with Kim Jong Un.

BRENNAN: So there are these headlines that-- from South Korea saying Kim Jong Un would abandon his weapons if the U.S. promises not to invade his country. Are you going to make any kind of promise like that?

BOLTON: Well, we've heard this before. This is- the North Korean propaganda playbook is an infinitely rich resource.

BRENNAN: But it puts a burden on the United States.

BOLTON: I don't think it does really. I think that if you look at the decision to give up nuclear weapons as a real strategic decision that North Korea has to make. What we want to see from them is evidence that it's real and not just rhetoric. In the case of Libya for example and it's a different situation in some respects those negotiations were carried out in private they were not known publicly. But one thing that Libya did that led us to overcome our skepticism was that they allowed American and British observers into all their nuclear related sites. So it wasn't a question of relying on international mechanisms. We saw them in ways we had never seen before.

BRENNAN: That sounds like you want inspections beca- before any kind of sanctions relief.

BOLT: Well I think it would be a manifestation of the strategic decision to give up nuclear weapons doesn't have to be the same as Libya but it's got to be something concrete and tangible it may be that Kim Jong Un has some ideas and we should hear him out.

BRENNAN: According to CBS' reporting, Singapore is the preferred location for this meeting between President Trump and Kim Jong un. When will you make this determination on location and how important is it?

BOLTON: Well I think that the when- when the present is ready to announce that he'll announce it. We're still working on the location. We're still working on the date.

BRENNAN: He said within the next few weeks. Three to four.

BOLTON: He- the president is ready to go on this. And- and so we're eager to come to a conclusion so we can do all the logistical planning but I don't want to preempt any any news that that he may want to make. We just don't have we don't have it pinned down yet.

BRENNAN: Is there any update on the three Americans that are being held prisoner in North Korea? I mean are they essentially going to be held hostage to the success of this diplomacy or do they need to be released before the president walks into that room?

BOLTON: Well I don't want to get into the discussions that-that we've had. I'll just say this. These three Americans are at the top of the president's mind. And in- in exchanges between normal nations these people wouldn't even be held. So I think North Korea should look at this very seriously.

BRENNAN: This is a gesture though that they're not required to take before the meeting?

BOLTON: It would be a demonstration of their sincerity. We're waiting to see what their decision is.

BRENNAN: Can you tell us anything about their status?

BOLTON: Well I'd rather not get into the discussions-- at this point but it's very much on the president's mind.

BRENNAN: I want to ask you as well about this other big decision upcoming on the Iran nuclear deal. You've been very public in the past about your skepticism and it's led diplomats in private to say and to question whether you're going to be a broker here who could actually present another option to the president. If the Europeans can pull off a side deal a fix to the nuclear plant, do you actually think it's possible to keep it?

BOLTON: Well it's the president's decision. I mean one thing people have to keep in mind is that I've changed roles here. When I was a private citizen I could say whatever I've wanted to it was a great a great luxury but --

BRENNAN: In March you said it cannot be improved and it simply blew smoke and mirrors to think we can fix it. That wasn't that long ago.

BOLTON: So I don't - What I said was what I believed I don't back away from them. But that's not my job now. My job is to give advice to the president. He'll make that decision. It's his call. I'm the national security adviser not the national security decision maker. And in fact on the Iran nuclear deal issue I have presented him with options and I'll continue to do it right up until he makes the decision. I think that's critical for the proper functioning of the national security system and it's my obligation to do that.

BRENNAN: So if Secretary Pompeo can craft a side deal you are open to accepting and to keeping the Iran nuclear deal?

BOLTON: I think it's a question of the president being open to make the final decision. It's the job of his advisers to give advice. He's the decision maker.

BRENNAN: So is the U.S. put sanctions back on Iran on May 12th, does that mean the U.S. has withdrawn?

BOLTON: Well there are a variety of things that could happen and I don't want to get into a discussion of what the hypotheticals might be but certainly withdrawal is under consideration. The president has said this repeatedly. His views on the nuclear deal have been uniform consistent and unvarying since the campaign of 2016, and we'll see what happens.

BRENNAN: Well the world is watching. Thank you so much.

BOLTON: Glad to be with you --

BRENNAN: John Bolton. Thank you for coming on "Face the Nation." Hope to have you back soon.

BOLTON: Thank you very much.

Continued here:
Transcript: National security adviser John Bolton on "Face ...

Libya | MSF USA

Libya: Latest MSF Updates

This information is excerpted from MSFs 2016 International Activity Report.

Libya remained fragmented by conflict and political divisions, which severely impacted the health care system. MSF donated drugs and medical equipment to hospitals throughout the country to support emergency and surgical care. In Benghazi, MSF ran a clinic with a Libyan NGO to offer pediatric and gynecological consultations to displaced and vulnerable people. MSF also supported the emergency room in Benghazi Medical Center and Al Abyar and Al-Marj hospitals with staff and training. MSF supported the main Misrata hospital, establishing a partnership for infection control with an MSF-run hospital in Amman, and provided two hospitals in Zintan with supplies and mass-casualty response training.

In addition to being a destination for hundreds of thousands of refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants, Libya was a transit point for people attempting to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe. These people were exposed to alarming levels of violence, exploitation, and ill treatment. MSF ran mobile clinics in seven migrant detention centers in and around Tripoli, carrying out 7,145 medical consultations.

Here is the original post:
Libya | MSF USA

In ‘The Burning Shores,’ Libya Blossoms Briefly Before …

Demonstrators raise Libyan flags at a national unity demonstration in Tripoli's Martyrs' Square in 2012. Courtesy of Frederic Wehrey hide caption

Demonstrators raise Libyan flags at a national unity demonstration in Tripoli's Martyrs' Square in 2012.

In April 2016, former President Barack Obama singled out the "worst mistake" of his presidency: his administration's lack of planning for the aftermath of the 2011 military intervention in Libya.

When Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi was toppled, author Frederic Wehrey says, the country was initially seized by euphoria.

"You had the blossoming of civil society; people were free to speak their own minds, they were able to organize themselves politically," says Wehrey, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "And so it was quite easy to get swept up in that triumphal moment."

He witnessed the moment firsthand and then watched as it fell apart. Tribes and militias turned on each other, and Libya descended into civil war.

Wehrey documents the country's unraveling in The Burning Shores: Inside the Battle for the New Libya.

On the United States' plans to help Libya

They had the plans, but the problem was the will to execute them. So this was an administration the Obama administration [that] undertook this intervention with the explicit goal of not being responsible for what followed it, of really abdicating responsibility for the post-conflict recovery and reconstruction to the Libyans themselves, but also to the United Nations and the Europeans.

And for various reasons, those actors proved incapable or unwilling to handle the reconstruction. The U.N. had its own set of problems: bureaucratic, structural. The Libyans were divided about how much assistance they wanted they did not want to repeat an Iraq-style occupation, but at the same time, they did want some assistance. So it was this real quandary about, how do you assist a country that really had no experience in governance?

On the death of U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens

The great tragedy of this was that Ambassador Stevens was so committed to outreach to the Libyan people and to a particular practice of diplomacy that really meant getting out on the street and meeting people from all walks of life. And the great tragedy of that attack was that it constrained that approach, it curtailed it. There was a tremendous retreat, or retrenchment, of America's diplomatic presence.

And part of that was understandable for the need to safeguard lives, but part of it unfortunately was the partisanship that this became so politicized back in Washington, D.C. that it affected America's ability to engage on the ground in Libya....

A Libyan soldier peers across the frontline in Sirte during battle against the Islamic State in 2016. Courtesy of Frederic Wehrey hide caption

A Libyan soldier peers across the frontline in Sirte during battle against the Islamic State in 2016.

There was no government in Benghazi to protect them, there was no army or police they were at the whim of these militias. Many Libyans actually did try to help the Americans that night, and that story I do not think has been told fully, and I try to tell it in my book that Libyans actually did try to come to the rescue of Chris. There were certain militias that helped the Americans evacuate.

On civil war and ISIS in Libya

You had ... this sort of splintering of the country into two camps, into open civil war, in the summer of 2014. That was exacerbated by regional states that were playing a very cynical game of arming and funding the different factions Egypt, the UAE (United Arab Emirates), Qatar and Turkey. And then in the middle of this vacuum that was opened up, you had ISIS come. And it was an obvious breeding ground for ISIS: a fractured state that already had a tradition of radicalism, of jihadism. You had Libyans that went to Syria to fight that were coming back and they were really the carriers of the "ISIS virus," so to speak. And so quickly ISIS spread across the country.

On the current state of Libya

There are encouraging signs of normalcy in Tripoli: markets are open, there are sports clubs, you know, universities are open.

But there is deep trauma. I mean, there's huge problems with medical care. You have Libyans actually joining those migrant flows across the Mediterranean, they're so desperate to leave. A lot of Libyans have left. You have rampant lawlessness.

So on the surface when you go there, it seems OK, but there is a lot of kidnapping, there's a lot of criminality, and there are militia fights that can break out at any time in the capital over turf for various reasons. So things can go bad very, very quickly. So the calm you encounter on first sight is often very deceptive.

Noah Caldwell and Emily Kopp produced and edited this story for broadcast. Sydnee Monday adapted it for the Web.

See more here:
In 'The Burning Shores,' Libya Blossoms Briefly Before ...