UN Security Council extends mandate for Libya mission

The UN Security Council adopted a resolution Thursday, extending the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) until March 15, 2016.

The council commended the ongoing efforts of the UNSMIL and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to facilitate a Libyan-led political solution to the increasing challenges facing the country.

At the same time, it asked UNSMIL to focus, as an immediate priority, "on support to the Libyan political process towards the formation of a Government of National Accord and security arrangements, through the security track of the UN-facilitated Libyan Political Dialogue."

The council also expressed grave concern at "the recent proliferation of, and endangerment of lives by, the smuggling of migrants in the Mediterranean Sea, in particular off the coast of Libya."

In March, UNSMIL's mandate was revised in accordance with recommendations from the Secretariat's strategic assessment of the UN presence in Libya. This resulted in the mandate focusing, as an immediate priority, on support to the Libyan political process and security arrangements through mediation and good offices, as consistent with Thursday's resolution.

UNSMIL is a special political mission established in 2011 by the UN Security Council at the request of the Libyan authorities following six months of armed conflict to support the country's new transitional authorities in their post-conflict efforts. All UN activities for the Libyan people are guided by the principle of national ownership, according to UNSMIL website. Enditem