The Security Council decided to extend for one year the mandate of its integrated special political mission in Libya, listing a range of mediation and good offices tasks, while also charging the Secretary-General with conducting an independent review of its structure, priorities and staffing effectiveness.

Adopting resolution 2542 (2020) by a vote of 13 in favor to 0 against with 2 abstentions (China, Russian Federation), the Council decided to extend until 15 September 2021 the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) as an integrated special political mission.

Adopting resolution 2542 (2020) by a vote of 13 in favor to 0 against with 2 abstentions (China, Russian Federation), the Council decided to extend until 15 September 2021 the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) as an integrated special political mission.

 It outlined tasks to be conducted in full accordance with the principles of national ownership, including furthering the implementation of the Libyan Political Agreement; supporting efforts by the Government of National Accord to stabilize post-conflict zones; monitoring and reporting violations of human rights and humanitarian law; and providing support to Libya, upon request, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Mission will also be charged with helping to achieve a ceasefire and, once it is agreed by the Libyan parties, providing appropriate support to its implementation.

By other terms of the resolution, members decided that the Mission should be led by a Special Envoy of the Secretary-General with a focus on good offices and that, under the latter’s authority, an UNSMIL Coordinator will be in charge of the Mission’s day-to-day operations and management.  Among other things, they requested the Secretary-General to assess the steps required to reach a lasting ceasefire in Libya — as well as UNSMIL’s possible role in providing scalable ceasefire support — to be submitted no later than 60 days after the adoption of the present resolution, and asked him to appoint his Special Envoy without delay.

The Council further requested the Secretary-General, in accordance with best practices, to conduct and submit a strategic review of UNSMIL no later than 31 July 2021.  That review should include an assessment and recommendations for improving the efficiency of the Mission’s overall structure, prioritization of tasks and the capacity and effectiveness of staffing, including on mediation and peace process management; as well as an assessment of options for effective ceasefire monitoring under the auspices of the United Nations, including additional recommendations as necessary.

In addition, members requested the Secretary-General to include, in his regular reporting on the situation in Libya, United Nations efforts to address the coronavirus and the pandemic’s impact on the ability of UNSMIL to deliver on its mandated tasks. (ILKHA)