Thank you President, and I would like to thank SRSG Bathily for taking time away from his important engagement with Libyan stakeholders to brief the Council today. I welcome your continued engagement with all Libyan stakeholders, including women and youth, across the country.
Let me once again express the United Kingdom's support for SRSG Bathily and his efforts to reinvigorate Libya's stalled peace process. Stability in Libya can only be achieved through a UN-facilitated, Libyan-led and owned process that leads to Parliamentary and Presidential elections as soon as possible. All Libyan parties have an obligation to work with SRSG Bathily to achieve this and deliver elections for the Libyan people.
We are concerned by reports that armed groups prevented a meeting of the High State Council in Tripoli yesterday. Any attempt to obstruct civilian institutions from carrying out their responsibilities is unacceptable.
President, the United Kingdom reaffirms our commitment to working with Libya and our international partners to secure peace, stability and prosperity for Libya. The unanimous adoption of the 12-month UNSMIL mandate renewal was a welcome demonstration of the Council's support, and I look forward to engaging with SRSG Bathily again during the mandated Council meeting next month.
And I thank you.
