リビア情勢に関する安保理会合における山﨑大使ステートメント

Thank you, Mr. President.
 
I thank DSRSG Koury for her update.

Recognising the urgent need to keep the Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process moving forward, Japan is looking forward to working with fellow Council members to support her in her role in leading UNSMIL as the officer-in-charge.
 
I also welcome Permanent Representative of Libya Ambassador Taher Al-Sonni to this meeting.
 
I would also like to express Japan’s gratitude to SRSG Mr. Abdoulaye Bathily, following the announcement of his resignation, for his efforts to meet the aspirations of the Libyan people.

As I stressed in this Chamber in April, the lack of progress in the political process is negatively affecting Libya’s economic, social, and security situation as well as regional stability.

Japan again urges all the concerned stakeholders to place the desires of the Libyan people above their own interest.

We continue to call on the key players to conduct dialogue and make compromises under the United Nations’ auspices.

This will pave the way to holding the long-due national elections, which is the only way to restore the legitimacy of state institutions.

In this regard, Japan welcomes the announcement by the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) of the opening of the voter registration process for the upcoming municipal council elections in 60 municipalities, while calling for swiftly initiating the election processes in the other 46 municipalities, terms of whose municipal councils have expired or are expiring this year.

Japan calls on all relevant institutions to cooperate for the success of these elections.

The fair and transparent distribution of national revenue is imperative if Libyan leaders truly place the people’s interest first.

In this vein, Japan has welcomed the unification of the Central Bank of Libya and establishment of the High Financial Committee and continues to pay close attention to their performance.

In addition, as the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011), Japan remains committed to constructively leading discussions on the sanction measures including asset freezes.
 
Safety for civil society, including women and youth, is necessary for a free and inclusive political process.

Japan is concerned about reports of systematic violations of international human rights law and excessive restrictions on civil society, journalists, and human rights defenders.

Japan is also alarmed about the humanitarian situation that migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers continue to face.

Turning to security, Japan notes some progress including Libyan security and military officials’ discussions in Tunis last month to reflect on a draft common code of conduct.

It is encouraging that efforts to coordinate and unify the security and military institutions continue despite worryingly heightened tensions among the armed groups in Tripoli and other cities.

Efforts toward the withdrawal of foreign forces, foreign fighters, and mercenaries must continue as well.
 
To conclude, I reiterate Japan’s commitment to the Libyan people’s aspirations and to regional peace and prosperity through our full support to UNSMIL.
 
Thank you.