UNSC extends Libya mission's mandate

United Nations, March 6 (IANS) The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) until the end of this month.

The UNSC having determined that the situation in Libya remained a threat to international peace and security adopted the resolution on Thursday to extend the UNSMIL mandate till March 31, Xinhua reported. The mandate of the mission was due to expire on March 13.

The UNSC also decided to renew for the same period of time the measures imposed by resolution 2146 (2014), which bans illicit crude oil exports from Libya and authorises states to inspect vessels on the high seas.

The UNSMIL has been supporting the efforts of the Libyan government and people to ensure a democratic transition in the country - a process which has been underway since erstwhile ruler Muammar Gaddafi was toppled four years ago.

The UNSC resolution on Thursday came amid political and security developments, particularly a new round of UN-facilitated talks, which are going on in Morocco.

In a bid to put an early end to Libya's political crisis, the talks focus on the formation of a national unity government, and security arrangements to pave the way for a comprehensive ceasefire. They also aim at the completion of the constitution drafting process within a clear timeline.

IANS