CONCLUSIONS

1. The International Contact Group for Libya (ICG-L) convened its 4th meeting, at ministerial level in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 12 June 2015, on the margins of the 25th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. The meeting was co-chaired by the African Union (AU) Commissioner for Peace and Security, Smaïl Chergui, the United Nations (UN) Special Representative for Libya, Bernardino Leon and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Zimbabwe, S.S. Mumbengegwi, as representative of the Chair of the Union. The list of countries and organizations that attended the meeting is indicated below1.

2. On the basis of the updates provided by the AU Commission, the UN Special Representative for Libya, Algeria, Egypt and Chad, on behalf of the Ministerial Committee of Libya’s Neighbors, as well as by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Libya, Participants reviewed the evolution of the situation in Libya since the 3rd meeting of the ICG-L, held in Niamey, Niger, on 1 April 2015. They also reviewed the efforts being made at regional, continental and international levels to end the violence afflicting Libya, as well as facilitate an inclusive political dialogue among the Libyan stakeholders, with the objective of ending violence, promoting national reconciliation and successfully completing the ongoing Transition, based on the preservation of Libya’s unity and territorial integrity, as well as on the respect of the will of the people.

3. Participants expressed their deep concern about the worsening scourge of terrorism in Libya. They condemned the activities of the Islamic State (IS) and other terrorist groups in Libya, as illustrated by the suicide bombings near Misrata, al-Qubba and Sirte, as well as by other atrocities, including the barbaric beheadings of Ethiopian and Egyptian Christians. Participants reaffirmed their total rejection of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and the imperative need to collectively fight against this scourge. In this respect, they recalled the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

4. Participants also condemned the continuation of hostilities in parts of Libya and the attacks against civilians, as well as other violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. They reiterated their grave concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis, including internal displacements, clandestine migration and refugee flows to neighboring countries and across the Mediterranean Sea.

5. Participants expressed concern at the spread of criminal networks who are involved in human trafficking and smuggling. They underlined the need for a holistic and concerted approach, based on the respect of international, human rights and refugee law and close coordination among all relevant states and organizations, to address the issue of human trafficking and smuggling, including disrupting the activities of the criminal networks operating on the ground, as well as ensuring that those responsible for these acts are held accountable, promoting development and facilitating legal migration. Participants were informed of the convening of an AU Extraordinary Summit on Maritime Security and Safety, which will provide an opportunity to discuss issues relating to human trafficking and smuggling.

6. Participants urged all Libyan stakeholders, irrespective of their differences, to unite their forces and engage more seriously on the path of dialogue and reconciliation, taking into account the urgency of the situation and the suffering inflicted on their people. They welcomed the ceasefire signed, on 2 June 2015, between the Tubu and Tuareg communities, as well as several others local ceasefires in Western Libya, and called for the immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities by all parties concerned.

7. Participants, reaffirming once again that there can be no military solution to the conflict, called upon Libyan and regional stakeholders, as well as the armed belligerents, to completely reject the military option and genuinely commit to the conclusion of an agreement during the ongoing rounds of multi-track talks. In this regard, Participants expressed support to the UN-led political dialogue, under the facilitation of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, aimed at establishing a Government of National Unity.

8. Participants welcomed the update by Special Representative Bernardino Leon on the ongoing Libyan political dialogue process, as well as the submission to the Libyan parties of the 4th draft political agreement, developed by the United Nations. They urged all concerned to positively consider the proposals contained therein and to engage constructively with the United Nations in the higher interest of the Libyan people.

9. Participants commended the efforts of the neighbouring countries in facilitating political consultations among the concerned Libyan stakeholders, with the objective of building further momentum for the UN-led political talks. These consultations include the second meeting of Libyan political parties and activists, held in Algeria, on 13 and 14 April 2015 and from 3 to 4 June 2015; the meeting of the representatives of Libyan women’s groups and women activists, who convened in Tunis, Tunisia, from 21 to 22 April 2015, and that of the municipal representatives on 28-29 May 2015; the ongoing consultations in Skhirat, Morocco; as well as the Conference of Libyan Tribes and Cities, which took place in Cairo, Egypt, from 27 to 28 May 2015.

10. Participants also welcomed the organization of 6th meeting of Libya’s neighboring countries, in N’Djamena, Chad, on 5 June 2015. They welcomed the final communiqué adopted on that occasion.

11. Participants welcomed the concerted efforts of the international community to speak with one voice. In this context, they reiterated their commitment to strengthen the ICG-L, in order to enhance coordination and sustain international engagement in Libya, bearing in mind the need to promote Libyan ownership. They took note of the proposal of Italy to host, in Rome, in due course, a ministerial conference in support of an agreement among the Libyan stakeholders.

12. Participants welcomed the commitment by the AU to enhance its role in the ongoing efforts and actively contribute to the mediation process, in accordance with its continental responsibilities in the promotion of peace and security in the continent. They commended the efforts of other international actors, including the League of Arab States and the European Union, emphasizing the need for close coordination and harmonization within the framework of the ICG-L.

13. Participants thanked the Government of South Africa and the AU Commission for all the arrangements made to ensure the successful convening of the 4th meeting of the ICG-L. They agreed to convene their next meeting in Madrid, Spain, at a date to be agreed upon through consultations.