Ambassador Jonathan Cohen
Acting Permanent Representative
U.S. Mission to the United Nations
New York City
August 10, 2019
AS DELIVERED
Thank you, Madame President and thank you Assistant Secretary-General Keita for your sobering briefing today.
Madame President, the United States strongly condemns the attack in Benghazi that killed and injured UN staff and a number of civilians. We extend our condolences and sympathies to the victims, their families, and indeed the entire UN family.
Today’s violence in Benghazi underscores the need for an immediate reduction in violence and a prompt return to the UN-mediated political process. We welcome the UN Special Representative’s call for a truce and the commitments from the Libyan parties to halt military activities during the Eid al-Adha holiday. All sides should now take durable steps to deescalate and reduce the ongoing violence and to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.
We urge the sides to support confidence building measures also proposed by the Special Representative as a steps that could lead to a sustainable ceasefire and inclusive dialogue. We also urge both sides to allow humanitarian access via protected corridors.
Madame President, as it has been repeated often times in this chamber, durable peace in Libya requires a political solution.
I thank you.
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