UN extends and expands Libya sanctions

Jan 16, 2025 | International actors

On 16 January, the UN Security Council discussed the Sanctions Regime on Libya and adopted resolution 2769 (2025) by a vote of 14 in favour to none against, with one abstention (Russian Federation).

The resolution demanded full compliance with the arms embargo, called on all Member States not to exacerbate or intervene in the conflict in Libya and reiterated that those individuals or entities deter mined to have violated the provisions of resolution 1970 (2011) are subject to designation.

The Council also decided that the relevant arms embargo shall not apply to any technical assistance or training provided by Member States to Libyan security forces intended solely to promote the process of Libyan military and security institutions’ reunification. Further, it asserted that such arms embargo is not to be applied to military aircraft or naval vessels temporarily introduced into Libya’s territory solely to deliver items or facilitate activities otherwise exempted or not covered by the embargo.

The Council decided that certain travel-ban and asset-freeze provisions in resolution 1970 (2011) shall also apply to individuals and entities determined to have provided support for armed groups and crim inal networks through illicit exploitation or export of crude oil or refined petroleum in or from Libya.

Among other measures, the Council decided to extend, until 1 May 2026, the authorizations and measures in resolution 2146 (2014), which relate to the inspection of vessels designated as attempting to illicitly export crude oil from Libya. The Council also decided to extend, until 15 May 2026, the man date of the relevant Panel of Experts.

Speaking after the vote, the UK representative said the new exemption to the arms embargo will sup port military and security reunification in Libya while the new designation criteria, ‘will enable us to hold accountable those who exploit crude oil and refined petroleum — a natural resource that should benefit all Libyans.’ The US representative noted the negative impact of fuel smuggling and welcomed the text’s establishment of an exemption from the arms embargo for vessels and aircraft to deliver items or facilitate activities not covered by the blockade — ‘most importantly the provision of human itarian assistance’.