UN, February 13. /TASS/. Russia did not support the UN Security Council resolution on Libya because Libyans themselves were not ready to implement its provisions, Russia’s envoy to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya said on Wednesday.
Russia was the only country that abstained during the vote, but stopped short of vetoing the document. The remaining 14 UN Security Council members voted in support of it.
According to Nebenzya, Russia did not support the resolution, because, at present, "there is no clear understanding that all the parties [to the Libyan conflict] are ready to implement this decision."
"We got a resolution on Libya on which there is no consensus," he said. ‘There is nothing we can say about this, only express deep regret and disappointment."
"We doubt that ultimatums of this kind can spur Libyans to start negotiating as soon as possible," he continued. "We do want UN Security Council resolutions to be implemented. We want this document to be viable. However, we are not sure of this, judging by the text that we had received. That’s why we were unable to support it, and, if this resolution is not implemented, we will remind you of what we had said today."
According to the Russian diplomat, Moscow strongly asked its partners to take time while preparing the document.
"The Libyans have just started a dialogue, including within the framework of the joint 5+5 military commission," he said. "The parameters of the ceasefire mentioned by the Berlin communique should be determined specifically within the framework of their dialogue."
Resolution’s contents
The draft resolution, obtained by TASS, calls upon all UN member nations to uphold the weapons embargo [towards Libya], imposed by Resolution 1970, including "ceasing all support for and withdrawing all armed mercenary personnel."
The draft document calls on all nations "not to intervene in the conflict or take measures that exacerbate the conflict."
It also welcomes negotiations held within the framework of the 5+5 military commission meeting in Geneva and calls upon committee participants to continue talks for achieving a ceasefire agreement.
In order to oversee the implementation of a ceasefire, the UN Security Council asks the UN Secretary General to create a special monitoring mechanism.
Berlin conference
On January 19, a conference on Libyan settlement was held in Berlin at the level of heads of state and government. In the final document, participants in the conference called for a ceasefire, pledged to refrain from interfering into Libya's internal affairs, suggested to set up a unified government and launch reforms for restoring statehood. The sides in the conflict also agreed to setting up a special commission for ceasefire monitoring.
There are currently two executive bodies operating in Libya - the internationally recognized Government of National Accord, and the transitional cabinet in the east of the country which is supported by the House of Representatives (parliament) and the Libyan National Army.