On Wednesday, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric stated that the UN attaches, “the utmost importance to appointing a new envoy for us in Libya. The other priority is our hope for a unified position from the members of the Security Council to help us implement the special mandate of the UN Mission (UNSMIL) and improve the lives of the Libyan people.”
African countries and Russia insist that the new UN envoy be from the continent, while the UK, the US and most European countries reportedly oppose this approach. Western sources familiar with the Libyan file claimed that the next special envoy “will be an African.”
On Friday, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a British resolution extending UNSMIL’s mandate until 31 July.
It called on the Libyan parties to “refrain from any actions that undermine the ceasefire or the political process.” As well as urged the Secretary-General to appoint a new envoy in Libya, to lead the mission.
Disagreements erupted earlier between Security Council members over UNSMIL’s fate.
The dispute intensified between the US and Russia. Moscow renewed its objection to the continued assumption of the mission by the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General, Stephanie Williams.
The dispute intensified between the US and Russia. Moscow renewed its objection to the continued assumption of the mission by the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General, Stephanie Williams.
Recently, Western sources familiar with the Libyan file claimed that the next Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) “will be African.”