Libya Security Council Tender

The Security Council renewed measures designed to implement the arms embargo against Libya for another year in particular those authorizing Member States to inspect vessels on the high seas off the countrys coast when reasonable grounds exist to believe they are violating the ban.Unanimously adopting resolution 2473 2019 under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations the Council extended authorizations set out in resolution 2420 2018. It also requested the Secretary-General to report within 11 months on the texts implementation.During a brief debate Council members underscoring the need to keep the embargo in place reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire in Libya emphasizing that there is no military solution to the conflict. The representative of the United Kingdom the texts main sponsor echoed other speakers in urging a return to dialogue and a political process facilitated by the United Nations.The speaker for France noted that despite the temporary suspension of its navy patrol Operation Sophia - the European Union military force established in 2015 to combat human smuggling in the Mediterranean - remains active. Cte dIvoires representative expressed concern that the operations naval assets have been weakened and called on participating countries to make equipment available.Also speaking today were the representatives of Belgium South Africa Germany and Indonesia.The meeting began at 1005 a.m. and ended at 1022 a.m.