The United Nations Security Council has voted to extend authorization for member states to inspect ships suspected of violating the arms embargo on Libya. The resolution, approved on Tuesday, renews the permission for six months and applies to vessels located on the high seas off Libya’s coast. The measure was adopted with 13 votes in favor, while Russia and China abstained.

The international community remains committed to limiting the flow of weapons that fuel conflict and instability in Libya, according to the representative of the United Kingdom. The adoption of this resolution sends a clear message, emphasizing the importance of preventing sporadic clashes, particularly in the Tripoli region. The French representative to the Council described the arms embargo as “essential” to maintaining stability in the area.

The new resolution was co-written by France and Greece, both of which are part of the European Union’s Operation IRINI. This operation is the only Council-mandated mission to inspect vessels suspected of violating the embargo along Libya’s coast. Greece’s representative praised Operation IRINI as “an impartial and unique instrument” and the “primary tool for maritime enforcement” of the embargo.

However, several states, including Algeria and China, have criticized the operation over “insufficient transparency and effectiveness.” China’s representative urged the Council to consider the views of Libya and other relevant parties, assess Operation IRINI’s mandate, and make adjustments as necessary.

The Security Council imposed the arms embargo on Libya in 2011, during the revolution that ousted former leader Muammar Gaddafi. The Council first authorized vessel inspections to implement the embargo in 2016. The extension of this authorization highlights the ongoing efforts of the international community to address the conflict and instability in Libya.

The renewal of the authorization for vessel inspections is a significant step towards enforcing the arms embargo and promoting stability in the region. As the international community continues to monitor the situation in Libya, the importance of a unified and effective approach to addressing the conflict remains a top priority. The Security Council’s decision will likely have implications for the ongoing efforts to promote peace and security in Libya, and the international community will be watching closely to see how the situation develops in the coming months.