Security Council Approves Libya Peace Plan

The United Nations Security Council has endorsed a roadmap for ending the fighting in Libya between the UN-backed, Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and Benghazi-based insurgents led by a renegade general. The plan, worked out at a recent summit in Berlin, emphasizes the need for a total arms embargo as well as an end to outside interference. Countries like Turkey and Qatar support the GNA, while Egypt and the United Arab Emirates support the insurgents. Russia abstained during the Security Council vote in New York late on Wednesday although it supported the roadmap in Berlin, with UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia declaring that Moscow had “doubts” over the viability of the plan because it lacked “clearly expressed consent from the Libyan sides themselves.” Of particular concern is the fact that foreign mercenaries are fighting on behalf of both sides, with Russia and Sudan said to be providing some of the personnel.