UNITED NATIONS, July 29 (NNN-Xinhua) — The UN Security Council on Thursday extended the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) for another three months until Oct 31 and the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for six more months until Jan 31, 2023.
LIBYA: According to Resolution 2647, the council underlined the importance of an inclusive, comprehensive national dialogue and reconciliation process, welcomed the support of the African Union in that regard, recognized the important role of other regional organizations, and called upon the relevant Libyan institutions and authorities to implement confidence-building measures to create an environment conducive for successful national presidential and parliamentary elections.
The council emphasized that there can be no military solution in Libya, and demanded full compliance by all member states with the arms embargo imposed under Resolution 1970, as modified by subsequent resolutions.
The council also urged all member states to respect fully the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya.
The mission was first established in September 2011 to support Libya’s new transitional authorities in their post-conflict efforts.
CYPRUS: Through the text, the council urged the sides and all involved parties to respect UNFICYP’s mandated authority in – and delineation of – the buffer zone, renewing its call on both sides to respect the integrity of the buffer zone, remove all unauthorized constructions and prevent unauthorized military or civilian activities within and along the ceasefire lines.
The council also stressed that UNFICYP’s mandated authority extends throughout Cyprus, and that restrictions on its freedom of movement can present serious risks to the safety and security of United Nations personnel serving in peacekeeping operations.
Further, expressing regret over the lack of progress on an effective mechanism for direct military contacts between the sides and the relevant involved parties, the council urged flexibility and engagement by the same, facilitated by UNFICYP, to develop and implement an acceptable proposal on establishing such a mechanism. It called on the sides to reduce existing barriers to intercommunal contact and urged them to implement further confidence-building measures that can contribute to a conducive environment for settlement.
In 1963, constitutional crises in Cyprus resulted in the outbreak of intercommunal violence. After all attempts to restore peace failed, the Security Council adopted a resolution that recommended the establishment of UNFICYP, and it has become one of the longest-running UN peacekeeping missions.
The mission’s responsibilities expanded in 1974, following a coup by elements favoring union with Greece and a subsequent military intervention by Turkey, whose troops established control over the northern part of the island. — NNN-XINHUA
