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Reconstruction in Libya
Libya Conference in Paris
© picture alliance / dpa
Libya Conference in Paris
Libya Conference in Paris
© picture alliance / dpa
“Germany is a partner of the new Libya,” Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said on 17 September. Germany would actively support the country on its path towards a brighter future, he went on. On 1 September the UN Sanctions Committee in New York released a billion euro of the Libyan funds held frozen in Germany, and on 16 September the economic sanctions against Libya were lifted or modified. The United Nations also decided to send a civilian support mission to Libya.
With its unanimous adoption of Resolution 2009, the Security Council had sent “an important message of international community support for the new Libya”, Westerwelle said. By sending a civilian support mission to the country, the Minister continued, the United Nations was “playing a key role in helping build a democratic Libya based on the rule of law”.
Libya summit
At a summit on Libya held in Paris on 1 September, Federal Chancellor Merkel also offered the Libyan National Transitional Council German assistance, for example with building up police structures. Germany could also help, she said, with the elaboration of a constitution and with coming to terms with the past, as well as with the reconstruction of water supplies and medical infrastructure.
Representatives of more than 60 countries, most of them heads of state or government, met in Paris on 1 September to discuss assistance for reconstruction in Libya. They agreed that frozen Libyan assets should be released quickly. The conference has its foundations in the meetings of the Libya Contact Group, which have been taking place regularly since April 2011.
Sanctions lifted
Jubilation in Benghazi
© picture alliance / dpa
Jubilation in Benghazi
Jubilation in Benghazi
© picture alliance / dpa
On 16 September the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2009, lifting or modifying the economic sanctions against Libya. With the precisely targeted lifting of the economic sanctions, the country’s economic and social reconstruction can now go ahead, too. The weapons embargo, by contrast, remains largely in place, as does the no-fly zone.
Back on 1 September the EU decided to lift the majority of its own sanctions against Libya. Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle said then: “The lifting of sanctions and, especially, the rapid release of frozen Libyan funds are crucial for the swift flow of humanitarian aid and a successful fresh start for politics.”
The EU Council decision lifts the economic sanctions imposed on 28 Libyan entities, including port authorities, banks and oil companies. This makes it much easier to resume economic relations with Libya.
Strengthening the National Transitional Council
Jubilation in Benghazi
© picture alliance / dpa
Jubilation in Benghazi
Jubilation in Benghazi
© picture alliance / dpa
Speaking at the opening of the Ambassadors Conference in Berlin on 29 August, Foreign Minister Westerwelle said, “Libya is at the beginning of a long and also very difficult road.” He said that he and French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé – guest of honour at the Conference – had agreed to work in close coordination in supporting Libya and to push for “a vigorous European response to the sweeping changes south of the Mediterranean”. Westerwelle voiced his respect for France and the other allies in view of their contributions towards implementing Security Council Resolution 1973.
With Resolution 1973, adopted on 17 March 2011, the UN Security Council authorized all necessary measures to protect civilians in Libya and decided to establish a no-fly zone to that end. Germany abstained in the Security Council vote on a military operation in Libya because the Federal Government – after weighing up the risks involved – concluded that no German soldiers should take part in any such operation.
Foreign Minister Westerwelle pointed out in Berlin on 23 August how vital it was that Libya not descend into chaos. He explained that it was important to strengthen Libya’s National Transitional Council so that it could exercise effective authority throughout the country as soon as possible. What further support Germany could provide was also a subject Westerwelle had discussed with Mahmoud Jibril from the National Transitional Council when they talked on the phone.
Important for the whole region
On 22 August, Foreign Minister Westerwelle commented: “What’s happening right now in Libya – the triumph of freedom over a despot – will not be without consequences for the region as well as for the wider world.” He posited that the dictator’s time was up, and that he should step down now to avoid further bloodshed.
Minister Westerwelle said that Gaddafi, having ruled with great brutality and waged war against his own people, would have to be brought to justice. “The Libyans have fought for their freedom, and it’s a triumph for the Libyan people that it is now within reach,” the Foreign Minister declared.
Last updated 19.09.2011