Press Statement of the 500th meeting of the Peace and Security Council on the situation in Libya

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, April 29, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 500th meeting held on 27 April 2015, reviewed the situation in Libya on the basis of the report submitted by the Chairperson of the Commission [PSC/PR/3(D)] and the update provided by the AU Special Envoy for Libya, Dileita Mohamed Dileita. Council also listened to the statements made by the representative of Libya, as well as by those of Algeria and Egypt, on behalf of the Ministerial Committee of Libya's neighbours, Ethiopia, the League of Arab States, the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN) Secretariat and the following members of the UN Security Council: France, Nigeria, New Zealand, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Council reiterated its deep concern at the collapse of state structures and the prevailing security situation in Libya. In this respect, Council noted the fighting that is taking place in various parts of Libya between the armed belligerents, as well as the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian institutions and public infrastructures, including airports and oil installations, in total disregard of international humanitarian and human rights laws. Council expressed dismay at the disastrous humanitarian impact of the current situation.

Council further noted the worsening of the scourge of terrorism in Libya, with the continued activities of Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist groups and individuals, the increasing presence of the Islamic State (IS) and the declarations of allegiance to the IS by terrorist groups operating in Libya. Council reaffirmed the AU's total rejection of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and strongly condemned the terrorist groups operating in Libya and their criminal activities, including the gruesome killing of African migrants of Egyptian and Ethiopian origin. Council renewed the AU's solidarity with the peoples and Governments of Egypt and Ethiopia, and Africa's resolve to do all it can to contribute to the elimination of the terrorist groups active in Libya.

Council also noted that the prevailing anarchy in Libya has facilitated the activities of the criminal networks involved in human trafficking towards Europe, leading to the loss of countless human lives during attempts to cross the Mediterranean Sea. Council underlined the need for effective international action to address both the immediate and long-term aspects of the problem, through enhanced cooperation involving all concerned stakeholders. In view of the gravity of the situation and the need for Africa to fully play its role in the search for a lasting solution to this problem, Council requested the Commission to urgently submit to it a comprehensive report, with practical recommendations on the way forward.

Council reiterated its conviction that there can be no military solution to the crisis in Libya. Council, once again, called on the Libyan stakeholders to genuinely commit themselves to dialogue, in order to bring to an end the suffering being inflicted upon their own people, complete the transition process and live up to the hope generated by the popular uprising of February 2011. In this respect, Council reiterated its support to the UN-led political dialogue, and urged all concerned Libyan stakeholders to extend the necessary cooperation to this process. Council also reiterated its appreciation to the countries of the region for their continued involvement in the search for peace, security and reconciliation in Libya. Council looks forward to the holding, in due course, of the reconciliation conference planned by Algeria, as well as to the meeting of tribal leaders scheduled to take place in Egypt.

Council welcomed the steps taken by the Commission in follow-up to the relevant provisions of communiqué PSC/MIN/COMM.(CDLIX) adopted at its 459th meeting held in New York, on 23 September 2014. In this respect, Council noted with satisfaction the operationalization of the International Contact Group for Libya (ICG-L) and the conclusions adopted by the three meetings the Group has held so far. Council stressed the central role of the ICG-L in ensuring a coordinated international engagement in Libya and encouraged the Commission, working with all concerned international stakeholders, to take the necessary steps towards the enhancement of the Group, to enable it more effectively discharge its mandate.

Council also welcomed the efforts deployed by the AU Special Envoy, in particular the consultations he held with various Libyan stakeholders and the countries of the region. Council called for the intensification of these consultations, with a view to increasing the AU's role and contribution to the search for a solution.

Council requested the Commission to make further recommendations on how best to enhance the AU's contribution to the search for a solution to the current crisis, bearing in mind the responsibilities of Council and the provisions of Chapter VIII of the UN Charter on the role of regional arrangements in the maintenance of international peace and security.

Council agreed to meet, as early as possible, to further review the situation. Council noted, in this respect, the proposal put forward by Ethiopia for the convening of a meeting of Council at ministerial level.