Statement at Conference on Libya

The Minister based his address
on the following speaking points

Norway is engaged in the implementation of all the main chapters of UN Security Council resolutions 1970 and 1973, politically, economically, militarily and through our humanitarian engagement. We are taking part in the international coalition established to fulfil the UN mandate to protect civilians and stop further bloodshed.

Military action was and is still needed to protect civilians. But there can be no military solution to the Libyan crisis. We need to call and prepare for a sustainable political solution to complement our protection of civilians by military means.

Let me make four points that I believe to be crucial.

First, we must remain faithful to the mandate and the language in UN Security Council resolution 1973 and avoid ambiguity about our mission goal, as well as the risk of an open-ended and long-term engagement with unclear exit parameters. UN SC resolution 1973 is historic in the way it highlights the urgent need to use force to protect civilians. The way we implement the resolution will impact on future opportunities to mobilise broad support for interventions of a similar nature.

Second, we now need to turn to the implementation of the first operational paragraphs of the resolution, i.e. the political process. A first step must be to call for a robust ceasefire to protect all civilians. We should call on the Government and the National Transition Council to lay down arms and negotiate a framework for peaceful transition. Civilian suffering must be brought to an end immediately; humanitarian aid must be allowed unimpeded access and passage.    

Third, we all agree that Colonel Gaddafi has lost his legitimacy and that he must step down and transfer power to the people of Libya. At the same time I would caution against becoming a tool for one party in a potentially bloody civil war. There is no talk of such a mandate in the resolution. Libya needs an inclusive process. No one will be served by the destruction of Libya’s political and administrative infrastructure, not Libya, not the region, and not us.

The UN Security Council resolution highlights the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya. In order to overcome the divisions and create a process that enjoys the trust of all communities, all tribes, religions, age groups, men and women should be engaged and represented in a broad national dialogue to define the political set-up for Libya. 

Finally, Libya’s neighbours and regional organisations like the Arab League and the African Union must be closely involved. Norway supports the idea of establishing an international group to coordinate international support for the political process and to facilitate the work of the Envoy of the UN Secretary-General.