Thank you Mr. President,

Allow me to welcome our Libyan colleague to the Council and underline the General assembly’s vote this morning enabling the full reintegration of Libya into the Community of Nations. 

Portugal welcomes the improved situation in Libya and looks forward to a smooth and peaceful transition through a Libyan led and owned inclusive and representative process. 

We also welcome the statements by the National Transitional Council expressing their commitment to national reconciliation, human rights, justice and the rule of law. 

Over the past six months we have witnessed significant developments in Libya. Women have played a central role in the historic changes that have and continue to take place in the country. It is now fundamental to ensure the equal participation of Libyan women in all aspects of the transition process, their inclusion in national and international decision-making about their country’s future, as well as in national reconciliation processes. 

We also strongly encourage the Libyan authorities to pursue an active protection of the human rights of refugees and foreign residents and ensure that all serious violations of human rights and International Humanitarian Law are investigated and perpetrators brought to justice.

Portugal fully supports the guiding principles of UNSMIL: national ownership, speed of response and rapid delivery, and effective coordination of international assistance. We also fully endorse the National Transitional Council’s request for assistance and support of the United Nations and the international community in implementing its plans for stabilization and rebuilding the country according to the priorities it has set out.

With the adoption of this resolution the conditions are met for the swift setting up of UNSMIL, thus enabling the United Nations to promptly assist the Libyan authorities in addressing manifold challenges and in meeting the timetable to which they have committed themselves too. The establishment of an integrated United Nations Support Mission for an initial period of three months will allow for the new authorities and the United Nations to plan further and more effectively for a longer period, based on a phased approach.    

We recall that in several resolutions dealing with Women, Peace and Security the Security Council has expressed its willingness to incorporate a gender perspective into UN Missions. Portugal will continue to stress the importance of incorporating this dimension in all Political and Peacekeeping mandates. The positive contribution women can make to all aspects of post-conflict situations has long been established. 

Mr. President,

As Libya enters a new chapter of its history the international community must unite to assist the Libyan people in the tremendous tasks and challenges that lie ahead. We therefore welcome the leading and coordinating role of the United Nations and welcome, in particular, the efforts of the Secretary General in this regard. 

Portugal stands ready to support the Libyan people on their path to peace and democracy, including in the framework of the Security Council and the 1970 Sanctions Committee in this new phase in which funds need to be made available for state-building, economic recovery and urgent humanitarian assistance.

 

Allow me a very heartfelt word of appreciation for the efforts of Mr. Al-Khatib and the valuable role he has played over the past months. I would also like to commend the work developed by Mr. Ian Martin and his team in preparing for the establishment of UNSMIL and wish him and all his staff all success in the challenging tasks ahead.     

Thank you Mr. President.