Written question asked by Emily Thornberry (Labour) on Wednesday, 14 November 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 November 2018. It was answered by Alistair Burt (Conservative) on Friday, 23 November 2018 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Libya: Politics and Government

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Sabratha.

Answer: The recent violence in Sabratha is deeply concerning. There has been some progress in recent weeks in establishing a Security Arrangements Committee for Tripoli, in order to avoid a repeat of the violence the capital experienced over the summer. The fighting in Sabratha highlights the challenges that exist beyond Tripoli, and the need for more sustainable security arrangements across the whole of Libya. The UK is clear that the only way of achieving security and stability is through an inclusive political settlement. The recent Palermo Conference demonstrated broad support for the next steps in implementing the UN Action Plan, as set out by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General Salamé in his 8 November briefing to the UN Security Council. This includes the convening of a National Conference in early 2019, with a view to creating the conditions for elections in the course of 2019. The UK remains actively engaged in efforts to promote the UN-led political process and has allocated £12 million through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund this year to boost political participation and economic development, and to support the delivery of greater security, stability and resilience, including through tackling extremism.

Secondary information