The United Arab Emirates (UAE) expressed its rejection of a proposal submitted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to appoint former Algerian Foreign Minister, Sabri Boukadoum as the UN Envoy to Libya.
After several failed attempts to fill the vacant position since November, last week Guterres proposed to the Security Council that Boukadoum be appointed envoy to Libya.
A diplomat told AFP, asking not to be named, that “(only) the UAE refused” the appointment of the former Algerian minister.
According to other diplomats, the UAE, a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, which currently represents the Arab group on the council, revealed that “Arab countries and Libyan parties expressed their opposition” to the appointment of Boukadoum.
One of these diplomats indicated that there is a “regional concern” over Boukadoum’s appointment, especially since Algeria has a common border with Libya. This diplomat stressed that if the Security Council had gone ahead with the appointment, the Algerian diplomat would have found himself facing an “impossible mission”.
Notably, UN Political Chief, Rosemary DiCarlo urged Libya’s rival factions to agree on measures governing the transition to elections, during talks in Geneva. She expressed hope this will lead to elections “at the earliest possible date.”
DiCarlo reported to the UN Security Council that the rivals reached a broad consensus on most articles in the proposed 2017 constitution, which she called “commendable,” following talks in Cairo from 12-20 June.
The Libyan Parliament, which is located in the east of the country, and the High Council of State (HCS), which is located in the west, met in Cairo for the first time since the proposed constitution was adopted in 2017, according to DiCarlo.
“We are encouraged that the leaders of both chambers have accepted the invitation of UN special adviser, Stephanie Williams to meet in Geneva from 28-29 June. This is to discuss and reach agreement on the measures governing the transitional period leading to elections,” she said.
All of Libya’s international allies, including the 15 Security Council members, were asked by DiCarlo to “call on the leadership of the two chambers to take the opportunity given by the accord struck in Cairo, and make elections happen.”
She warned that continued political tensions are contributing to a tense security situation in and around Tripoli.