The Security Council decided unanimously on Thursday to extend the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) until 15 September 2018 as an integrated special political mission.

Adopting resolution 2376 (2017), the Council tasked the Mission with supporting an inclusive political process within the framework of the Libyan Political Agreement, and in full accordance with the principles of national ownership.

In that regard, UNSMIL would support the Agreement’s implementation, consolidation of the Government of National Accord’s governance, security and economic arrangements, and subsequent phases of Libya’s transition process.

Also by the text, the Council further decided that UNSMIL would support key Libyan institutions, support the provision of essential services and the delivery of humanitarian assistance upon request, and carry out human rights monitoring and reporting.

Welcoming the resolution, Elmahdi S. Elmajerbi, charge d'affaires of the Libyan mission stressed the need for the Mission to base its work on the concept of national ownership and on its mandate to bring various parties together. Explaining that political and institutional divisions were the main reason behind the myriad challenges currently facing Libya.