Paris Conference on Libya - Chair's statement
The Paris Conference on Libya concluded on 1 September 2011. The Chair's statement explained what was discussed and the next steps towards Libya's future.
“With the fall of Colonel Gaddafi certain, the participants paid tribute to the victims of the brutal repression of his regime. They expressed their admiration for the courage of the Libyan people who have made great sacrifices in their struggle to put an end to decades of oppression and take control of their own future.
The participants welcomed the presentation given by the Head of the Libyan Delegation, Chairman Mostafa Abdel Jalil, in which he set out plans for the formation of an inclusive interim government that will rebuild Libya for the benefit of all Libyans, the goal being to build a new, democratic and pluralistic Libya in which human rights, fundamental freedoms and justice will be guaranteed and prosperity shared. The National Transitional Council’s Constitutional Declaration provides a clear plan for conducting the political transition in a spirit of unifying the Libyan people and reconciling those who have been on both sides in the current conflict.
In this context, the participants expressed their confidence that the Libyan people and their authorities will succeed in meeting the enormous challenges they face going forward and voiced their determination to stand by them in this endeavour. Participants strongly supported Chairman Abdel Jalil’s call for those responsible for the serious human rights crimes committed during the conflict to face justice under the rule of law.
In view of the expectations expressed by the Libyan delegation, the participants emphasised that the United Nations will play a central role in coordinating international support for the political transition in Libya and the reconstruction of the country. They welcomed the proposals to this effect put forward by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and expressed their support for a new UN Security Council resolution which will endorse these proposals.
To enable the Libyan authorities to cope with the pressing needs of the population and immediately embark on the restoration of the State and the reconstruction of the country, the participants also agreed on the need to make available to them urgently the Libyan assets frozen under Security Council resolutions. They welcomed the recent unfreezing of $ 6 billions of those assets. The Libyan authorities underscored the National Transitional Council’s commitment to ensure that all assets will be managed on behalf of the Libyan people in an accountable and transparent manner. They welcomed the recent Doha meetings with the Chiefs of staff and on finance.
Participants reiterate their commitment to continue to protect civilians in Libya, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions 1970 and 1973. They noted that as the military operations draw to a close and a new phase begins, the Contact Group has fulfilled its goals and should be replaced by a “Group of Friends of the New Libya”, the first meeting of which will take place in New York at the end of September.
Participants committed their support for the Libyan-led transition and rebuilding process to establish a democratic, independent and united Libya. The participants were pleased to welcome Libya’s return to full participation in the international community and active regional engagement and urge the UN to welcome the delegation of TNC as the legitimate delegation representing the Libyan people.