QATAR'S policy on the issue of Libya, which has been mired in conflict since the 2011 overthrow and killing of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi, is driven by its faith in dialogue and respect for countries’ unity and sovereignty. Addressing a United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in Libya on Wednesday, Qatar’s top diplomat said the only solution to the crisis in Libya is to support the UN-recognised Government of National Accord and to implement the Skhirat Agreement, Security Council resolutions, and the results of the Berlin Conference.
Qatar’s Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the UN Security Council unanimously approved the Skhirat Agreement, which recognised the Government of National Accord as the only legitimate executive authority in Libya. Unfortunately, however, some countries that initially supported this agreement, later started backing opposing faction against the UN-recognised government. This, the Foreign Minister said, has led to the current situation. Militia attacks on Tripoli over a year ago targeted innocent Libyan civilians and committed serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.
Militias also attacked healthcare facilities, including a missile strike on a hospital for COVID-19 patients in Tripoli during the coronavirus pandemic. The militias also stand accused of laying landmines targeting civilians, as well as systematic extrajudicial killings. Mass graves have also been discovered recently in areas which were controlled by the militias. The State of Qatar has reiterated its condemnation of these serious rights violations and has warned against supporting factions against the internationally-recognised Libyan government.
Qatar has said that any agreed political solution based on dialogue and understanding must include a clear and effective international mechanism to hold countries that do not abide by these international agreements to account. It is also important to hold countries, and not only some factions, accountable for violations of international law.
At the same time, Qatar has stressed the need to return to negotiations and national dialogue and complete the transitional period and achieve a solution that preserves the sovereignty and unity of Libya and fulfills the aspirations of the Libyan people, a solution that leads to building the state that the Libyans seek and deserve, away from narrow interests, personal aspirations, malignant agendas, and unlawful external interference.
Reaffirming its support for the United Nations Mission in Libya, Qatar has renewed its call to all actors to ensure respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law and to hold accountable those responsible for violations and serious crimes.
