The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing Member States, acting nationally or through regional organizations, to inspect vessels on the high seas off the coast of Libya they believe are carrying illicit weapons.
The SC resolution number 2292 condemns the flow of arms and related materiel into Libya, including to terrorist groups, saying it made the decision to authorize such inspections for 12 months from Tuesday.
The resolution, introduced by the United Kingdom with support from France and Spain, said that the inspections would be authorized “provided that those Member States make good-faith efforts to first obtain the consent of the vessel’s flag State prior to any inspections,” and called upon all flag States of the vessels to cooperate with such inspections.
In the resolution, the Council reiterated its grave concern at the growing threat of terrorist groups in Libya proclaiming allegiance to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh), the growing trend of groups associating themselves with it, as well as the continued presence of other Al-Qaida-linked terrorist groups and individuals operating in the country.
The Council also underlined the importance of coordinated international support to Libya and the region to address the issue of unsecured arms and ammunition in Libya and their proliferation, including through their transfer to armed groups in violation of the arms embargo.
The Council also expressed concern that the situation in Libya is exacerbated by the smuggling of illegal arms and related material in violation of the arms embargo, underlining its concern at the allegations of violations of the arms embargo by sea, land, or air.
Further, it expressed concern that such arms and related material are being used by terrorist groups operating in Libya, including by ISIL.
A day earlier the Security Council today decided to extend until 15 December 2016 the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), encouraging the operation to re-establish a permanent presence in the country through a phased return.
The current mandate was set to expire on 15 June.
In its resolution number 2291 on the situation in Libya, the Council expressed its support for the ongoing efforts of UNSMIL and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to facilitate a Libyan-led political solution to the challenges facing Libya.
The 15-member body also recalled its resolution 2259 (2015), which endorsed the Rome Communiqué of 13 December 2015 to support the Government of National Accord as the sole legitimate Government of Libya, and welcomed the arrival in Tripoli on 30 March 2016 of members of the Presidency Council of the Government of National Accord, led by Prime Minister Fayez Serraj.
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