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Libya at the UN
Libya was one of the early states whose question was
considered by the United Nations in the third and fourth sessions of
the General Assembly, held in 1948 and 1949. For this reason, Libya
is sometimes referred to as the United Nations’ “first born
daughter.” Libya’s independence question was the first issue
considered by the League of the Arab States, also, in its first
session, when its charter was adopted in 1945.
Libya became a member of the United Nations on 14th
December 1955. It was, therefore, the sixth Arab
state, and the fifth African state, to become a member
of the new international organization.
Libya
commenced its first permanent mission to the UN, New York, in June
1959.
Libya became a member of the Security Council, for the
first time, during the period 1976-1977. It is currently a member
of the Council for the second time for a two-year term (2008-2009).
It has assumed the presidency during its first month of membership
(January 2008). Libya will be president
twice, by alphabetical arrangement, during this period.
Libya is a member of all specialized international
agencies and organizations, except for the World Trade Organization
(WTO), to which it has already applied. Libya is either a founding
or pioneer member of the following regional organizations: the Arab
Magharibi Union, the Arab League, the African Union, the
Organization of the Islamic Conference, and the conference of
non-Aligned states. Libya is also a founding member of the
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Libya’s Obligations
towards the Objectives and Purposes of the Charter:
·
Libya
believes in peaceful settlement of international disputes. It has
most frequently resorted to the settlement of such disputes via the
International Court of Justice.
·
Libya
consistently participated in the activities of the International
Organization. It firmly believes that the objectives and purposes
enshrined in the Charter constitute a solid foundation for the
achievement of international peace and security.
·
Libya
believes that since a period of sixty years has elapsed since the
establishment of the United Nations, it is now imperative that its
charter be amended in such a way as to enhance the role of the
General Assembly as the forum in which all members are equally
represented. The Security Council should also be reformed in order
to reflect the international developments in UN membership.
Furthermore; the Council should be made more democratic,
particularly through reconsideration of increasing the number of
Council members, and the uses of the Veto prerogative. |
