Explanation of Vote on the UN Support Mission in Libya mandate renewal
Explanation of vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Libya
I welcome the adoption of resolution 2629 renewing UNSMIL’s mandate, and I particularly welcome the decision to implement the Independent Strategic review and look forward to the appointment of an SRSG.
The resolution also reaffirms the Council’s strong commitment for the UN’s efforts to help create a path towards free, fair and inclusive Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
I reiterate the United Kingdom’s call on all stakeholders to engage constructively in the ongoing intra-Libyan consultations to reach an agreement on the constitutional and legal basis for elections.
I would also like to thank the vast majority of Council members for their constructive engagement and flexibility throughout negotiations. As penholder, we made significant efforts to achieve consensus on a resolution that would have provided UNSMIL with greater stability to implement its mandate over a longer period. Regrettably this was not possible.
Russia has once again isolated itself. By not joining consensus with the fourteen other members of the Council, they have blocked a longer mandate for UNSMIL, as both the Libyans and the UN have requested.
In future, we call on Russia to meet its responsibilities as a member of this Council, and join consensus with the rest of the Council on a substantive UNSMIL mandate.