Security Council resolution 2259 (2015) [on the situation in Libya]
Symbol: S/RES/2259 (2015)
Date: 2015-12-23
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/70 [219] LIBYA SITUATION
S/70 [220] UN SUPPORT MISSION IN LIBYA
Subjects: UN Support Mission in Libya|UN. Panel of Experts Established pursuant to Security Council Resolution 1973 (2011)|Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Organization)|Libyan Political Agreement (2015)|Al-Qaida Sanctions List|INTERNAL SECURITY|CEASEFIRES|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|LIBYA|SANCTIONS|HUMAN RIGHTS IN ARMED CONFLICTS
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: ANGOLA
vote: yes
country: CHAD
vote: yes
country: CHILE
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: JORDAN
vote: yes
country: LITHUANIA
vote: yes
country: MALAYSIA
vote: yes
country: NEW ZEALAND
vote: yes
country: NIGERIA
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SPAIN
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes
country: VENEZUELA (BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF)
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                   S/RES/2259 (2015)
               Security Council                                                 Distr.: General
                                                                                23 December 2015




               Resolution 2259 (2015)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 7598th meeting, on
               23 December 2015

                    The Security Council,
                    Recalling its resolution 1970 (2011) and all its subsequent resolutions on
               Libya,
                      Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence,
               territorial integrity and national unity of Libya,
                     Calling on all parties to armed conflict to take all appropriate steps to protect
               civilians, and recalling that all parties to armed conflict must comply strictly with
               the obligations applicable to them under international humanitarian, human rights
               and refugee law,
                     Welcoming the efforts of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya
               (UNSMIL) and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to facilitate a
               Libyan-led political solution to address the political, security, economic and
               institutional crises facing Libya, including through the formatio n of a Government
               of National Accord,
                     Welcoming the signing on 17 December 2015 of the Libyan Political
               Agreement of Skhirat, Morocco by the majority of the Libyan delegates to the
               UN-facilitated political dialogue, and by a wide range of representatives of Libyan
               society, municipal leaders and heads of political parties, and recognizing the
               contribution of Member States to host and support the meetings of that dialogue,
               including the countries of the region in particular the Kingdom of Morocco for its
               efforts in advancing the Agreement, including through hosting the Libyan Political
               Dialogue,
                     Recognising the importance of the continued inclusiveness of the Libyan
               Political Agreement, and taking note of the letter circulated as document
               S/2015/1018,
                     Strongly encouraging in this regard all parties in Libya to seize this historic
               opportunity to be part of and to engage constructively with the Agreement, in good
               faith and with sustained political will,
                   Recognizing the need for assistance planning for a Government of National
               Accord and security arrangements, and recalling that Member States at the Rome

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               Conference on 13 December 2015 underlined their commitment to provide
               technical, economic, security and counter-terrorism assistance,
                    Expressing concern at the grave humanitarian situation in Libya and
               encouraging Member States to respond generously to the Libya Humanitarian
               Response Plan for 2016,
                     Welcoming the efforts made by all participants in the UN-facilitated Libyan
               Political Dialogue and other tracks of the peace process, including the contributions
               of civil society, tribal leaders, local-level ceasefires, prisoner exchanges and the
               return of internally displaced persons,
                     Urging the full, equal and effective participation of women in all activities
               relating to the democratic transition, conflict resolution and peacebuilding in line
               with relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 1325 (2000), 2122
               (2013), and 2242 (2015), and in this regard welcoming the UN facilitation of
               meetings of women’s participation within the framework of the Political Dialogue,
                     Recalling resolution 2214 (2015) and condemning the terrorist acts being
               committed in Libya by groups proclaiming allegiance to Islamic State in Iraq and
               the Levant (ISIL, also known as Da’esh) including those committed by individuals,
               groups, undertakings and entities designated as associated with ISIL or Al -Qaida by
               the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee (the
               Committee) and further reiterating grave concern about the negative impact of their
               presence, violent extremist ideology and deadly actions in Libya, neighbouring
               States, and the region,
                     Reaffirming the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter
               of the United Nations and international law, including applicable international
               human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, threats to international peace and
               security caused by terrorist acts, including those committed by groups proclaimi ng
               allegiance to ISIL in Libya, and recalling, in this regard, the obligations under
               resolution 2253 (2015), and urging all Member States to actively cooperate in this
               regard with the Government of National Accord and provide support as requested,
                     Condemning any engagement in direct or indirect trade, in particular of oil and
               oil products, modular refineries, and related materiel including chemicals and
               lubricants, with ISIL, and other individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities
               designated as associated with ISIL or Al-Qaida by the Committee, and reiterating
               that such engagement would constitute support for such individuals, groups,
               undertakings, and entities and may lead to further listings by the Committee,
                    Expressing its concern about the problem of smuggling oil products from
               Libya and calling on all Member States to cooperate with the Government of
               National Accord,
                     Reiterating its grave concern at the recent proliferation of, and endangerment
               of lives by, the smuggling of migrants in the Mediterr anean Sea, in particular off the
               coast of Libya and into and through Libyan territory, recalling its resolution 2240
               (2015) which condemns all acts of migrant smuggling and human trafficking into,
               through and from Libyan territory and off the coast of Libya, and urging all Member
               States to cooperate with the Government of National Accord to tackle this issue,




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                 Reaffirming the importance of holding accountable those responsible for
           violations or abuses of human rights or violations of international humanita rian law,
           including those involved in attacks targeting civilians,
                 Recalling its decision in resolution 1970 (2011) to refer the situation in Libya
           to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court and affirming the importance
           of the Government of National Accord’s full cooperation with the International
           Criminal Court and the Prosecutor,
                Expressing deep concern at the threat posed by unsecured arms and
           ammunition in Libya and their proliferation, which undermines stability in Libya
           and the region, including through transfer to terrorist and violent extremist groups,
           and underlining the importance of coordinated international support to the
           Government of National Accord and the region to address these issues,
                 Further recalling the arms embargo, travel ban, assets freeze and measures
           concerning illicit oil exports which were imposed and modified by resolutions 1970
           (2011), 1973 (2011), 2009 (2011), 2040 (2012), 2095 (2013), 2144 (2014), 2146
           (2014), 2174 (2014) 2213 (2015) (the Measures), and that the mandate of the Panel
           of Experts established by paragraph 24 of resolution 1973 (2011) and modified by
           resolutions 2040 (2012), 2146 (2014) and 2174 (2014) was extended until 30 April
           2016 by resolution 2213 (2015),
                Encouraging the Government of National Accord to implement measures to
           increase transparency of government revenues and expenditures, including salaries,
           subsidies, and other transfers from the Central Bank of Libya, to ensure the long -
           term sustainability of Libya’s financial resources,
                 Expressing concern about activities which could damage the integrity and
           unity of Libyan State financial institutions and the National Oil Company,
           highlighting the importance of these institutions continuing to function for the
           benefit of all Libyans, and stressing the need for the Government of National
           Accord to exercise sole and effective oversight over the National Oil Company, the
           Central Bank of Libya, and the Libyan Investment Authority as a matter of urgency,
           without prejudice to future constitutional arrangements pursuant to the Libyan
           Political Agreement,
                 Emphasizing the need for all parties to comply with their obligations under
           international humanitarian law and to respect the United Nations guiding principles
           of humanitarian emergency assistance,
                Recalling its determination in resolution 2238 (2015) that the situation in
           Libya constitutes a threat to international peace and security,
                 1.    Welcomes the signature on 17 December 2015 of the Libyan Political
           Agreement of Skhirat, Morocco to form a Government of National Accord
           consisting of the Presidency Council and Cabinet supported by the other institutions
           of state including the House of Representatives and State Council;
                 2.    Welcomes the formation of the Presidency Council and calls upon it to
           work expeditiously within the 30 days stated in the Libyan Political Agreement to
           form a Government of National Accord, and to finalise interim security
           arrangements necessary for stabilising Libya, and in this regard calls upon Member
           States to respond urgently to requests from it for assistance;



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                     3.    Endorses the Rome Communiqué of 13 December 2015 to support the
               Government of National Accord as the sole legitimate government of Libya, stresses
               that a Government of National Accord that should be based in the capital Tripoli is
               urgently needed to provide Libya with the means to maintain governance, promote
               stability and economic development, and expresses its determination in this regard
               to support the Government of National Accord;
                    4.    Requests that all Member States fully support the efforts of the Special
               Representative of the Secretary-General and work with the Libyan authorities and
               UNSMIL to develop a coordinated package of support to build the capacity of the
               Government of National Accord, in line with Libyan priorities and in response to
               requests for assistance;
                     5.    Calls upon Member States, particularly those in the region, to continue to
               urge all parties in Libya to engage constructively with the Government of National
               Accord and all other institutions included in the Libyan Political Agreement and
               calls upon Member States to cease support to and official contact with parallel
               institutions that claim to be the legitimate authority but are outside of the
               Agreement as specified by it;
                     6.   Calls upon all Member States to respond urgently to requests for
               assistance from the Government of National Accord for the implementation of the
               Libyan Political Agreement;
                     7.    Reiterates its support for the ongoing deliberations of the UN facilitated
               security track of the political dialogue to finalise security arrangements, and urges
               existing militias and armed groups to respect the authority of the Government of
               National Accord and its command structures;
                     8.   Emphasises the importance of the Government of National Accord
               exercising control over, and safely storing arms in Libya with the support of the
               international community;
                     9.    Further calls upon the Government of National Accord to protect the
               integrity and unity of the National Oil Company, the Central Bank of L ibya and the
               Libyan Investment Authority, and for these institutions to accept the authority of the
               Government of National Accord;
                     10. Confirms that those individuals and entities engaging in or providing
               support for acts that threaten the peace, stability or security of Libya, or that
               obstruct or undermine the successful completion of the political transition to a
               stable, secure and prosperous Libya under a Government of National Accord, must
               be held strictly accountable, and in this regard, recalls the travel ban and asset
               freeze measures reaffirmed in paragraph 11 of resolution 2213 (2015);
                    11. Requests that the Committee be prepared to list individuals, groups,
               undertakings and entities in Libya associated with Al -Qaida or ISIL;
                    12. Urges Member States to swiftly assist the Government of National
               Accord in responding to threats to Libyan security and to actively support the new
               government in defeating ISIL, groups that have pledged allegiance to ISIL, Ansar Al
               Sharia, and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with
               Al-Qaida operating in Libya, upon its request;




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                13. Calls upon the Government of National Accord to promote and protect
           human rights of all individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction,
           including those of women, children and people belonging to vulnerable groups, and
           to comply with its obligations under international law;
                 14. Calls upon the Government of National Accord to hold to account those
           responsible for violations of international humanitarian law and violations and
           abuses of human rights, including those involving sexual violence, and to co-operate
           fully with and provide any necessary assistance to the International Criminal Court
           and the Prosecutor as required by resolution 1970 (2011) and recalled by resolution
           2238 (2015);
                  15. Recalls resolution 2240 (2015) and urges Member States to cooperate
           with the Government of National Accord, and with each other, including by sharing
           information about acts of migrant smuggling and human trafficking in Libya’s
           territorial sea, on the high seas off the coast of Libya and rendering assistance to
           migrants and victims of human trafficking recovered at sea, in accordance with
           international law;
                 16. Requests that the Secretary-General continue to maintain the necessary
           flexibility and mobility to adjust UNSMIL staffing and operations at short notice in
           order to support, as appropriate and in accordance with its mandate, implementation
           by Libya of agreements and confidence-building measures or in response to their
           expressed needs, and further requests the Secretary-General to keep the Security
           Council informed in his reports prior to any such adjustments;
                 17. Affirms its readiness to review the appropriateness of the Measures,
           including the strengthening, modification, suspension or lifting of the Measures, and
           its readiness to review the mandate of UNSMIL, as may be needed at any time in
           light of developments in Libya, particularly outcomes of the UN -facilitated
           dialogue;
                18. Calls upon all parties to cooperate fully with the activities of UNSMIL,
           including allowing it free interaction with all interlocutors and to take necessary
           steps to ensure the security of as well as the unhindered movement and timely
           access for the UN and associated personnel;
                 19. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council as
           appropriate on implementation of the Libyan Political Agreement, including acts
           that disrupt or prevent its implementation;
                20.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.




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