Checked Against Delivery
Thank you, Madam President,
Let me also thank Special Representative Tetteh for her briefing, and I welcome the Permanent Representative of Libya to this meeting.
Madam President,
Denmark welcomes the agreement of the Libyan parties within the “Small Convening” signed on 30 August. The agreement marks an important step toward advancing Libya’s political process.
We thank the SRSG and UNSMIL for their facilitation efforts which made this agreement possible, and we reiterate our strongest support to Special Representative Tetteh and thank her for her leadership
We encourage Libya’s political leaders to end the transitional phase and move forward with implementing the provisions of the agreement. We further call on them to take steps towards the organisation of national elections which meet the aspirations of all Libyans for stability and prosperity under unified and legitimate institutions.
Madam President,
The overall security situation in Libya remains fragile, and continued tensions risk undermining hard won political progress. Armed clashes in different parts of the country, drone attacks on critical infrastructure, and interference with oil facilities underscore the need to restore and protect stability in Libya.
Denmark calls for the cessation of violence and progress towards the unification of military and security institutions through dialogue. This is essential to address any rising security threats and ensure stability.
Protection of critical energy infrastructure from political and security disputes is also vital.
Madam President,
Denmark is deeply concerned that more than 50 individuals have been executed in eastern Libya since August.
As mentioned by SRSG Tetteh, these executions mark the end of a de-facto moratorium on the use of the death penalty in Libya that had been observed for 15 years.
This resumption raises serious human rights concerns at a time when strengthening public confidence in state institutions, the rule of law and national reconciliation remains critical.
We call on the Libyan authorities to halt all further executions and further urge Libya to establish an official moratorium on executions as a first step towards abolition of the death penalty.
Madam President, in closing,
Denmark remains committed to supporting the Libyan-led and the Libyan-owned political process, facilitated by UNSMIL. This is the key to break the political deadlock, and create the conditions for the holding of fair, transparent and inclusive national elections, in line with the aspirations of the people of Libya. In this vein, we look forward to the renewal of UNSMIL’s mandate later this month.
Thank you.
