NEW YORK, MARCH 2 – After serving more than two years as the UN’s Special Representative in charge of finding a way to a lasting peace in war-torn Libya, Ghassan Salamé – who also heads up the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) – handed in his resignation on Monday, citing failing health caused by the immense stress of the job.
Ghassan Salamé tweeted that he had sought “to reunite the Libyans, curb the interference of the outside, and preserve the unity of the country”. The Special Representative pointed out that the Berlin Summit, followed by Security Council resolution 2510, adopted on 12 February, had insisted on the need for a nationwide ceasefire and the enforcement of an arms embargo and seen the launch of a promising new three track process to bring the UN-backed Government and opposition backed by rebel militia, together. But just last week the UN envoy brought representatives of the two warring sides to Geneva for peace talks – only to see negotiations break down once again, amidst further major ceasefire breaches.
My health no longer allows this rate of stress”, Mr Salamé tweeted. “So I asked the Secretary-General to relieve me from my mission, wishing Libya peace and stability”.
Following Mr. Salamé’s announcement, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric briefed reporters at UN Headquarters in New York, saying that Secretary-General António Guterres “has always had full confidence in Mr. Salamé’s work and the great efforts he has made to bring peace to Libya.”
Mr. Dujarric said the UN chief would be discussing with Mr. Salamé the way to ensure a smooth transition “so as not lose any momentum on the gains that have been made”.
After the announcement, the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Luigi Di Maio, praised the work of the Special Representative: “Thanks to Ghassam Salamé for holding his role with expertise, commitment and dedication during such a difficult moment for Libya. The work of the SRSG has been decisive and will constitute an important point of reference for his successor”. (@OnuItalia
