Vigilance can report that British Foreign Secretary William Hague yesterday said the international community is "resolved to continue to take action" on Libya following the second meeting of the Libya Contact Group.
Speaking after the meeting the Foreign Secretary said: "The Rome Contact Group today sent the clearest signal yet of the international community's unity and resolve to implement UNSCRs 1970 and 1973. More countries took part and reiterated that Qadhafi should go.”
Hague added: “Their commitment to increase the diplomatic and economic pressure on his regime, alongside the intensification of NATO action, and support to the Interim Transitional National Council, including through the establishment of the Temporary Finance Mechanism, shows that time is against Qadhafi and that the international community is resolved to continue to take action."
The first meeting of the Libya Contact Group was in Doha on 13 April. The Foreign Secretary co-chaired.
Vigilance learnt that the 21 states that attended agreed that Qadhafi's regime had lost all legitimacy, that the National Transitional Council should be offered further support and the UN Special Envoy should take forward an inclusive political process.
Also, Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt recorded a video after a meeting yesterday with Libyans who have recently fled the Qadhafi regime in Tripoli:
Contact Group on Libya: Chairs Conclusions
1. The second meeting of the Contact Group on Libya was held in Rome on 5 May and was co-chaired by Italy and the State of Qatar, with the participation of 22 countries and representatives from the United Nations, the Arab League, NATO, the European Union, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference and the Gulf Cooperation Council to discuss developments in and prospects for the situation in Libya. The African Union attended as an invitee. Observers included representatives from 6 countries and from OCHA and the World Bank.
The participants confirmed that the Contact Group will continue to serve as the focal point of contact with legitimate Libyan interlocutors, coordinate international policy and be a forum for discussion of humanitarian and post-conflict assistance.
2. The Contact Group expressed their deep solidarity with the Libyan people’s severe losses and civilian casualties due to the Qadhafi regime’s violent and inhumane attacks, deplored its reported use of cluster munitions and pledged these criminal actions will not go unpunished.
In that regard, the Contact Group welcomed the first Report by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court on the Qadhafi regime’s crimes against humanity, presented to the UN Security Council on 4 May, along with the announcement that the Office of the Prosecutor would submit its first application for an arrest warrant in the coming weeks.
3. Time is running out for Qadhafi’s regime which is now on the defensive and increasingly isolated internationally. We will intensify the pressure on the regime politically, militarily and economically until they fulfil in full the conditions set out in UNSCRs 1970 and 1973.
• Politically, this will include action against illicit arms, mercenaries and Libyan satellite TV. Isolating Qadhafi by calling on his followers who do not want to be associated with human rights violations to disassociate themselves from the regime; calling on States not to receive Libyan regime emissaries; and agreeing that the UN Special Envoy for Libya is the focal point for preparations for a political transition process and hoped he could intensify these efforts.
• Militarily, Participants underscored that NATO actions are necessary to implement UNSCRs 1970 and 1973 in order to protect civilians , and welcomed the additional contributions to operations.
• Economically, Participants agreed to explore action to prevent Qadhafi’s regime from exporting crude oil or importing refined products for non-humanitarian use. They welcomed the progress made on the TFM which will provide a transparent channel for short term financial support to the INC.
Participants in the Contact Group committed to favour the establishment of conditions that allow the beginning, as soon as possible, of a political transition that reflects the will of the Libyan people.
4. These developments confirm that Qadhafi, his family and his regime have lost all legitimacy. They must go so that the Libyan people can determine their own future.
International progress and strengthened determination in implementing UNSCRs 1970 and 1973
5. The broad-base of attendance at the Rome meeting of the Contact Group was emblematic of the variety of actors that remain resolute in their commitment to stop the violent and illegitimate repression of the Libyan people and to ensuring effective implementation of UNSCRs 1970 and 1973.
6. The Qadhafi regime continues its brutal and wanton attacks against civilians, in direct violation of UNSCRs 1970 and 1973.
Contact Group participants expressed their determination to intensify efforts to defend civilians by all necessary and legitimate means. In this respect, they recognized the effective role played by the NATO–led Operation Unified Protector, which is crucial to achievement of UNSCR 1970 and 1973 goals. They welcomed the decision by several countries to increase their participation in the mission and encouraged additional national contributions to the Operation. They made clear that NATO’s actions are fully consistent with UNSCRs Resolutions 1970 and 1973.
7. Time is running out for Qadhafi’s regime, which is now on the defensive and increasingly isolated internationally.
Contact Group participants will intensify pressure on the regime until the complete cessation of all violence and attacks and abuses of civilians. Additional military, political and economic measures will be considered, as appropriate. Participants also gave their commitment to counter any action which is fuelling regime’s ability to attack civilians, including by States and entities involved in arms smuggling and the supply of mercenaries.
In that perspective, they welcomed the decision by some satellite operators to stop the broadcasting of official media used by Qadhafi’s regime to call to violence and to co-ordinate military actions against civilians. They also called all satellite operators concerned to take the same decision and stop such broadcasting.
Qadhafi’s forces must withdraw from those Libyan cities they have forcibly entered, occupied or placed under siege, and fulfil all requirements for a ceasefire as stipulated in the Contact Group conclusions of Doha.
8. The Contact Group stressed the need for strict worldwide implementation of UNSCR 1970 provisions aimed at freezing the assets of individuals and entities with connections to the Qadhafi regime. The regime must not be allowed any access to oil and gas revenues to support actions against the Libyan people. The Contact Group called for a halt to any form of supply, in particular oil and refined products, which could contribute to Qadhafi’s attacks against the Libyan people.
Progress in an inclusive political process
9. Neither foreigners nor a domestic dictator can deprive Libyans of their right to determine their own future in accordance with democratic principles.
The Contact Group pledged to fully support an inclusive Libyan national dialogue that leads to the country’s reconciliation and reconstruction. Participants in the Contact Group committed to favour the establishment of conditions that allow the beginning, as soon as possible, of a political transition that reflects the will of the Libyan people. In that regard, the Contact Group welcomed the INC’s “Road Map for Libya”, which it considered an important contribution to the transition process. Participants welcomed the INC’s commitment to upholding international law and the additional steps taken by the INC to set up an Executive Council.
The international community remains strongly committed to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya.
10. The Contact Group reasserted the central role of the UN Special Envoy for Libya whom the UN Secretary-General appointed with the aim of facilitating dialogue and reforms leading to a peaceful and sustainable political solution. Participants agreed that the international community should work with and through the UNSG Special Envoy. The Special Envoy updated the Contact Group on his contacts to date with the Libyan parties. The Contact Group assured him of their full support in the fulfilment of his mandate and hoped that he can intensify work to drive forward preparations for a political transition.
Acknowledging the potential contribution of regional arrangements to the peaceful settlement of local disputes, the Contact Group was grateful to receive an update from the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on the latest efforts of its Peace and Security Council.
11. The Report by the Prosecutor of the ICC and events that have taken place since the Contact Group’s first meeting confirmed the participants’ conviction that Qadhafi’s continued presence would jeopardise any resolution of the crisis. People associated with him should be aware of that and draw conclusions accordingly. A number of them have already understood where the future of Libya lies; others are expected to follow.
Enhancing support to the Libyan people
12. The Contact Group met again in Rome with a representative of the Interim National Council (INC) who reported on the progress achieved since the Doha meeting on strengthening the INC’s status as a legitimate interlocutor representing the aspirations of the Libyan people. More states have now established political relations with the INC in Benghazi.
The participants appreciated the INC’s commitment to enhancing its inclusiveness and incorporating all political affiliations and components of the Libyan civil society.
13. The Contact Group welcomed the operational steps undertaken by a number of its members to implement the Doha Conclusions on providing material support to the Libyan opposition consistent with UNSCRs 1970 and 1973. Those steps include the delivery of goods and technical expertise for the protection of civilians.
14. Participants in the Contact Group agreed that the INC is a legitimate interlocutor for Libyans and this should entail the possibility for it to request the unfreezing of Libyan assets, which remain frozen in accounts in several states, for the purpose of addressing humanitarian needs. Members of the Contact Group have already urged the Sanctions Committee established by UNSCR 1970 and the relevant EU bodies to consider the issue.
15 The Contact Group agreed the INC needed further short term financial support urgently due to the ongoing conflict. They welcomed the prompt establishment of the Temporary Financial Mechanism (TFM) suggested in the Chairs’ Conclusions of the Doha meeting. The Contact Group endorsed the Terms of Reference for the TFM. It will provide a transparent channel for the joint management by international partners and the INC of short term financial support. Donors are invited to contribute to the TFM. In this regard, the Contact Group welcomed the contribution of 180 million USD pledged by the State of Kuwait to the fund, and hope that other states will do likewise.
The Contact Group also welcomed the decision to establish the Libyan Information Exchange Mechanism (LIEM), which can be used to help identify and co-ordinate INC in-kind requirements and potential contributors, and the INC’s recent statement committing to the transparent use of oil revenues for the betterment of the Libyan people.
Humanitarian assistance
16. The international community has already made significant contributions, commitments and pledges – totalling 245 million USD – to address the humanitarian needs triggered by the Libyan crisis.
17. The Contact Group welcomed a briefing by the UN on the overall humanitarian situation and expressed its staunchest support for the UN’s role in leading and coordinating international efforts. They noted that the EU and NATO are ready to assist and secure the delivery of humanitarian assistance, if needed.
Information sharing and the conduct of a common needs assessment are encouraged to facilitate a consistent planning of humanitarian operations, both bilateral and multilateral. To that effect, participants will maintain regular and direct interaction with the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya through the network of focal points in capitals.
18. The Contact Group shared concern for the severe consequences of the crisis for neighbouring countries, due to the still significant presence of Third country nationals in Libya, and encouraged advance planning for possible humanitarian emergency operations under UN co-ordination.
19. Unanimously recognized was the need to ensure humanitarian access throughout whole Libya. Consideration was therefore given to the advisability of establishing humanitarian corridors, including maritime corridors, not least in the light of reports of the Qadhafi regime’s attempts to mine Misrata harbour.
The Contact Group supported the United Nations Mine Action Service’s appeal for the activation of de-mining operations in Benghazi and Tobruk.
The next meeting of the Contact Group on Libya
20. The participants of the Contact Group expressed their thanks and appreciation to the Foreign Minister of Italy for organizing and hosting this meeting, and agreed to hold a third Contact Group meeting soon in the United Arab Emirates at a date to be determined.