Russia, China block UN report naming arms embargo violators in Libya

Russia and China have blocked the official release of a report by UN experts on Libya that accused Libyan warring parties and their international backers – including Russia – of violating the UN arms embargo on Libya.

Germany’s deputy UN ambassador, Gunter Sautter, said he brought the issue to the Security Council after the two countries blocked the report’s release by the committee monitoring sanctions on Libya, which Germany heads.

“Many delegations have asked for the publication of the panel of experts’ interim report. This would create much-needed transparency. It would contribute to naming and shaming those who continue to blatantly violate the arms embargo in spite of agreements that have been made.” Sautter added.

Diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity because Friday’s council consultations were closed, said Russia and close ally China again blocked the report’s publication.

“Let me assure you I will continue to use every tool at hand in order to make sure that we have the necessary transparency.” Sautter said before the meeting, when asked what Germany could do if Russia and China blocked the report’s release again.

Germany’s Sautter said the Security Council has agreed that there will be a special envoy “and we need an agreement urgently on who that is going to be.”

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