UN welcomes formation of new Libyan government

The United Nations today welcomed the formation of the country’s new Government, and extended his congratulations to Prime Minister Ali Zeidan and members of his Cabinet. The Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Tarek Mitri, also congratulated Libya’s General National Congress, which approved the new Government, UN News Service reports. “He wishes the new Government success in addressing the many challenges new Libya is facing, including the building of security institutions, promoting national reconciliation as well as upholding the rule of law, securing human rights and implementing transitional justice,” said a news release issued by the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), which Mitri heads. “In meeting these challenges, the support of the Libyan people to its democratically elected State institutions is essential,” added the release, which described the General National Congress as the country’s “legitimately elected body chosen to represent the will of the Libyan people for moving forward in the process of their democratic transition.” According to media reports, the General National Congress approved Prime Minister Zeidan’s proposed Government on Wednesday after rejecting his predecessor’s proposed incarnation. The body had reportedly met on Tuesday to vote but postponed its session after protesters, opposed to some of the ministerial nominations, stormed the building. The UN official also emphasized that the world body would support the new Government and the Libyan people in accordance with the Security Council resolution, adopted unanimously on 12 March this year, which renewed UNSMIL’s mandate to help Libya in its transition towards a modern democratic state.