UNSC Extends Mission to Conflict-Torn Libya Until End of March

The UN Security Council has voted unanimously for a short extension of the mandate of UNSMIL.

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) — The UN Security Council has voted unanimously for a short extension of the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), through March 31, amid ongoing violence in the country.

UNSMIL's mandate was due to expire on March 13, however on Thursday the Security Council prolonged it for 18 more days "recognizing, in the current circumstances, the need for a short extension".

The Security Council's resolution adopted on Thursday also renewed through March 31 the measures on vessels transporting crude oil illicitly exported from Libya that were set to expire on March 19.

On Wednesday, the Head of UNSMIL Bernardino Leon told the Security Council that the situation on the ground in Libya is deteriorating rapidly, stressing that the political crisis in the country needs to be resolved as soon as possible and a unity government needs to be created.

Libya is currently facing its worst wave of violence since the beginning of the civil war prompted by the 2011 overthrow of long-standing leader Muammar Gaddafi. There are now two rival governments in the country. Government forces are also fighting rebel groups, including Islamic State-affiliated militants.

On Thursday, another round of UN-mediated talks on stabilizing the political situation in Libya began in Morocco.

According to the President of the UN Security Council for March Francois Delattre of France, it is unclear whether the talks will end before the renewed UNSMIL mandate expires on March 31.