Prime Minister at High-Level Meeting on Libya

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hosted a High-Level Meeting on Libya on Tuesday, September 20 on the margins of the UN General Assembly.

Norway’s Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg delivered the following address during the debate.

Secretary-General,

Thank you for bringing us together at this crucial time in the history of Libya.

Thousands of Libyan civilians have fought for their freedom.

Many have suffered.

The Libyan people have paid a high price.

To rid themselves of dictatorship and oppression.

Norway has played an active role in the international efforts to support you in your struggle.

President Jalil,

We support your efforts to include all parties in the future leadership of Libya.

We all know that this is not an easy task.

Particularly in a country emerging from conflict.

We support your emphasis on preventing all forms of discrimination.

And we believe that it is essential to bring women into the political transition process and into public life.

No country can develop an inclusive and democratic way without the full involvement of women.

We offer to work with you in promoting this broad engagement.

We support your efforts to create modern rule of law institutions and carry out security sector reform.

We are prepared to assist in any way you find useful.

Both Norway and Libya are major oil and gas producing countries.

Norway has particular expertise in financial and resource management in the petroleum sector.

The basis for our own policies is that these resources and the income they generate must benefit   the people.

We are ready to engage and to share with you our experience and best practices.

I am pleased that the 370 million US dollars of frozen Libyan assets in Norwegian accounts have now been released and can be used to meet more urgent needs.

President Jalil,

We have noted your insistence on strong Libyan ownership.

We support and admire your clarity and determination.

You have already outlined your priorities.

Now you must tell us what you expect of us.

Secretary-General,

Norway supports the new UN Mission in Libya.

And we will assist your representative, Ian Martin, in fulfilling his important tasks.

We must ensure an effective and coordinated international engagement.

And we must support  the leadership of the Secretary-General and the United Nations.

Thank you.

Source: Norway Mission to the UN

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