Secretary General Ban Ki Moon is hopeful the fighting in Libya is coming to an end and is urging UN member states to help Libya’s new Transitional National Council (NTC) prepare for the post Gaddafi era.
“I think we can all be encouraged by the current trends” he told the Security Council this afternoon. “Fighting continues in some parts of the country, most notably Sirte, Sabha, Zuwara and points to the south, yet I think we can now hope for a quick conclusion to the conflict and an end to the suffering of Libya’s people.”
Ban told Security Council members that although the last few days had seen positive developments, the international community needed to continue actively helping the country’s transitional forces.
“Time is of the essence. My aim is to get UN personnel on the ground absolutely as quickly as possible, under a robust Security Council mandate.” he said “Libya’s future is for Libyans to decide. We will act in accordance with their needs and desires, not vice versa.”
Ban and his special envoys Ian Martin and Abdel Elah Al Khatib will be meeting with members of Libya’s National Transitional Council on Thursday in Paris to discuss how the UN could best assist a new interim-government.
Martin told reporters afterwards the UN had been prepared to send a team of unarmed military observers to Libya, but that NTC officials had declined the offer.
“That was a contingency plan that most likely would have been called upon in the event of a ceasefire. Our discussions today indicate that they are not at all likely to ask for that.” he said.
Martin says the world body’s initial presence in the country will likely be an “integrated politically led mission” rather than the type of “operational deployment” associated with peacekeeping, but said the UN’s long term role would depend on the needs of Libyan authorities on the ground.
The NTC has already outlined a roadmap for the political transition and Martin says the Libyan leadership is looking for advice and help from the UN on several different issues.
“[the NTC roadmap] talks of the establishment of an interim government within 30 days after they declare “liberation” in Tripoli and then the holding of elections to a National Council in 240 days.” he said “Its going to be quite a challenge, organizationally and its clear the NTC wish the UN to play a major role in that process, and that will be a key element of UN support.” he said.
Earlier today, the Security Council’s Sanctions Committee agreed to release over 100 million dollars in frozen state funds to Libyan transitional forces. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon welcomed the move but told Council members more needed to be done.
“It was vitally important that the Security Council Sanctions Committee acted to release $1.5 billion in frozen Libyan assets for humanitarian assistance. The first allocation of these assets – $110 million – has just been made. Further action will be needed in the coming days. I appeal to the Council to continue to be responsive to the requests of the Transitional Authorities for funding.”
UN agencies have scaled up aid efforts in Tripoli and other areas affected by heavy fighting. Humanitarian officials say the disruption of fuel lines has cut of access to electricity and water supplies to millions of people. The WFP and UNICEF have delivered water, cooking supplies and food aid in recent days, and are working to provide areas without power or water sanitation services emergency fuel reserves.