S/PV.6000
6000th meeting
Thursday, 23 October 2008, 10 a.m.
New York
Peace and security in Africa
Mr. Dabbashi (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) (spoke in Arabic): I should like to join preceding speakers in welcoming His Excellency Mr. Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of Djibouti, and to thank him for his statement. I also welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Djibouti and his delegation and thank the representative of Eritrea for his statement.
We in Libya are extremely concerned at the crisis that has erupted in recent months between two brotherly nations, in particular since those countries belong to a region that has long been beset by problems. Most people in that region are suffering the effects of war, including lack of security, food and medicine. It is regrettable that, thus far, the Security Council has not been able to come up with effective solutions to the problems in the region.
Like other countries, we believe that the situation between Djibouti and Eritrea could be worse; the border area is relatively calm. While we welcome that fact, we are still concerned at the lack of progress made thus far in finding a peaceful solution. It is also regrettable that the good offices of the Council, of regional organizations and other actors have not been received positively, which could lead to a new crisis. Fighting erupted again in June, and I believe that both countries are duty-bound to reply favourably to the message issued by the Council that same month.
As a member of the African Union, the League of Arab States and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Libya calls for the implementation of the resolutions adopted by those organizations. We welcome the repeated efforts of those organizations to help the two countries to resolve their dispute. We call on both parties to use those proposals to their best advantage.
With regard to the evident differences between the two brotherly countries with respect to the demarcation of their border, we hope that they will be able to reach an agreement on the international legal instruments to be used to resolve the issue once and for all. We insist on the need to continue to seek a peaceful solution to the crisis. We support the good offices of the Secretary-General and call on both parties to respond positively to them.
