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Thank you, Madam President,
Let me also thank Special Representative Tetteh for her briefing and welcome the representative of Libya to this meeting.
Let me begin by reiterating Denmark’s support for SRSG Tetteh and the efforts of UNSMIL to resolve the political deadlock that has lasted for far too long in Libya.
We believe Libyans deserve an opportunity to determine their political future through peaceful and democratic means. Denmark is committed to a UN-facilitated political process that paves the way towards national elections.
To this end, we welcome the successful conclusion of the Structured Dialogues in the four tracks earlier this month.
We commend UNSMIL for facilitating this opportunity to strengthen inclusive dialogue and for ensuring the participation of women in the process.
It is our hope that the final recommendations of the dialogues can help address long-standing drivers of conflict and unify and strengthen state institutions.
Denmark also welcomes the ongoing small group convenings and we urge all Libyan actors to engage in the discussions seriously and in good faith. Now is the time to put the interests of the Libyan people above narrow personal or political gains. To resolve the two initial steps in the roadmap without delay, with the goal of organising national elections.
Madam President,
As we heard the security situation in Libya remains tense. We are alarmed by the recent clashes between armed groups, including in Zawiya, and call for de-escalation. A unified government across all of Libya is needed to ensure stability for the citizens.
Denmark is also concerned over a renewed surge in misinformation, disinformation, and inflammatory rhetoric. Such discourse can deepen tensions, fuel mistrust, and contribute to discrimination and violence that risk destabilising the situation further.
We call on all parties to refrain from incitement and from the spread of mis- and disinformation, including in regard to the work of the UN in Libya.
Denmark also stresses the urgent need to address and improve the human rights situation in Libya.
Despite some progress regarding arbitrary detentions and arrests, much more remains to be done to protect the innocent, achieve justice, and end the suffering of those arbitrarily detained. We call upon the Libyan authorities to guarantee the rule of law and the exercise of civil liberties.
Madame President, in closing,
Only an inclusive political solution under UN-auspices will provide the foundations to support Libya’s long-term stability, unity and sovereignty.
The Structured Dialogues exemplify the aspiration of Libyans to define their country’s future, to participate fully in Libyan public life, and to freely choose their representatives.
We hope that this process will lay the foundation for a just and prosperous future grounded in the will, the ownership and the leadership, of the Libyan people.
I thank you.
