Secretary-General leaves Libya with “a heavy heart and deeply concerned”

The Secretary-General visited Libya where he met with the President of the Libyan House of Representatives, Agila Saleh, and with General Khalifa Haftar. At a press conference in Tripoli, the Secretary-General said “the UN has no agenda and no interests in relation to Libya but one: the welfare of the Libyan people, the peace in the country, and the possibility to live in a normal democracy.” He also visited a detention center in Tripoli and stated he was deeply shocked and moved by the suffering and despair he saw in the place “where migrants and refugees are in detention for unlimited time and without any hope of regaining their lives.” On Friday, he tweeted he was leaving Libya with “a heavy heart and deeply concerned”.  “I still hope it is possible to avoid a bloody confrontation in and around Tripoli. The UN is committed to facilitating a political solution and, whatever happens, the UN is committed to supporting the Libyan people,” he wrote.

Press conference in Tripoli: https://bit.ly/2UmkbgL

Remarks to the press before departing Libya: https://bit.ly/2OOnNBY

“Let us focus on what unites us,” urges the Secretary-General in Cairo

On Tuesday in Cairo, the Secretary-General visited the Al Azhar mosque and restated there was a rise in anti-Muslim hatred, anti-Semitism, racism and xenophobia around the world. “Hate speech is entering the mainstream, spreading like wildfire through social media and radio,” he said. The Secretary-General stressed “we must counter and reject religious and political figures who exploit differences” and underscored we are all connected “by our common humanity.” Instead of dwelling on our differences, he said, “let us focus on what unites us, and work together for a better future for everyone, everywhere.” The Secretary-General also met President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and held a press conference with Foreign Minister Sameh Hassan Shokry Selim.

Remarks at Al Azhar mosque: https://bit.ly/2V9lqvP

Remarks at Press Conference with Foreign Minister Sameh Hassan Shokry Selim: https://bit.ly/2YSDBrX

Summit of League of Arab States

On Sunday, in Tunis, the Secretary-General attended the Summit of the League of Arab States to “further deepen the relationship” between the United Nations, the League and the peoples of the Arab world. “Let us work ever closer together to unleash the full potential of this vital region, respond to the aspirations of the youth and build a better future for all,” he said. The day before, he met with Libya Quartet members.

Remarks in the Summit of the League of Arab States: https://bit.ly/2I3eEEu

Joint press conference with Libya Quartet members: https://bit.ly/2Vbvx3C

Statements and Messages

On the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action: https://bit.ly/2Vlgpkc

To the Sanitation and Water For All Sector Ministers’ Meeting: https://bit.ly/2I0Z2SA

On the resignation of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika: https://bit.ly/2uWwFN3

On General Assembly Resolution: “Combating Terrorism and Other Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief”: https://bit.ly/2HVxdLg

On the announcement of the results of the presidential and gubernatorial elections in Comoros: https://bit.ly/2YJi5G9

On World Autism Awareness Day: https://bit.ly/2G1i8FP

To the launch of the campaign: “Act to Protect Children affected by Conflict”: https://bit.ly/2OQDatB

To the Global Conference on Strengthening Synergies between the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (video): https://bit.ly/2UuGUXd

Senior Appointments

Nicholas Koumjian of the United States of America as Head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar: https://bit.ly/2CRGJer

Next Week

On Tuesday, the Secretary-General will speak at the closing of the ECOSOC Youth Forum. On Wednesday he will deliver remarks at an event commemorating the 100^th anniversary of the International Labour Organization. On Thursday, the Secretary-General will participate in a Security Council debate on Women in Peacekeeping and on Friday he will speak at the annual commemoration of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.