New York: The Security Council has decided to extend its authorizations concerning the arms embargo on Libya for an additional six months. This decision was made through the adoption of resolution 2804 (2025), with 13 members voting in favor and two abstentions from China and the Russian Federation. The authorizations, initially established by resolution 2292 (2016), permit Member States and regional organizations to inspect vessels suspected of breaching the arms embargo off Libya’s coast.
According to EMM, the representative of France, who co-submitted the resolution with Greece, emphasized the essential nature of the arms embargo in preventing clashes around Tripoli and supporting the political process in Libya. He highlighted the role of the European Union’s Operation IRINI, the only Council-mandated operation inspecting vessels for embargo violations, in maintaining Libya’s sovereignty and stability.
After the resolution’s passage, Greece’s representative stressed the legal framework’s importance for effective arms embargo enforcement. She described Operation IRINI as a unique maritime enforcement tool and called for continued collaboration with Libyan authorities. The United Kingdom’s representative echoed this sentiment, noting that the resolution reaffirms the international community’s commitment to controlling arms flow into Libya.
Representatives from Denmark and the United States highlighted Operation IRINI’s role in disrupting illicit arms trafficking and sharing vital information with the Libya Panel of Experts. Pakistan’s representative underscored the need for sustained cooperation with Libyan authorities and assessed the practical effectiveness of the measures in place.
However, the resolution’s adoption was not without criticism. The representative of Algeria, speaking on behalf of several countries, called for a comprehensive review of Operation IRINI citing its ineffectiveness despite over 2,000 inspections. China’s representative also questioned the transparency and coordination of the operation, urging the Council to consider Libya’s perspective in future assessments.
The Russian Federation’s representative criticized the operational methods of IRINI and expressed concern over the continued influx of weapons into Libya, underscoring the need for collective agreements over unilateral actions. These calls for review reflect ongoing concerns about the operation’s efficacy and the broader challenges in enforcing the arms embargo in Libya.