On 25 September, International Criminal Court (ICC) Office of the Prosecutor confirmed receiving Libya’s Request for Assistance, authorised and endorsed by Presidential Council (PC) head Muhammed al-Menfi and Government of National Unity (GNU) PM Abdul Hameed Dabaiba. The Office of the Prosecutor said it welcomes the Request of the State of Libya as a sign of trust and confidence in international justice and in the International Criminal Court. It also welcomes Libya’s continuous commitment to cooperate with the ICC pursuant to its Declaration under Article 12(3) of the ICC Statute.
The statement said the Office will coordinate with the Embassy of Libya to the Netherlands, as the designated Libyan official channel with the ICC, to further discuss the parameters of the request and the support the Office can provide within its mandate under the Rome Statute and available resources. In parallel to these consultations, the Office will independently assess if the alleged crimes communicated in the Request fall under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court – be it under UN Security Council Resolution 1970 or Libya’s Declaration to the ICC under Article 12(3).