NEW YORK – Việt Nam voiced support for the provision of assistance to Iraq in addressing current challenges in the war-torn country during a UN Security Council meeting on Tuesday.

Discussing the situation in Iraq, the meeting was attended by Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Đặng Đình Quý, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, congratulated the Government of Iraq and Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) on the well-managed elections held last month and spoke highly of the UNAMI and international organisations for backing Iraq and the IHEC in the polls.

He also reiterated his support for the UNAMI and UN staff operating in the country.

Quý expressed his concern over terrorist attacks in Iraq over the last few months, particularly a failed assassination attempt against the Iraqi Prime Minister, saying Việt Nam strongly condemns all forms of terrorism. He called on all stakeholders to address concerns through existing legal processes and facilitate the promotion of national unity, and constructive and peaceful dialogue.

The diplomat also appreciated the diplomatic efforts made by the Government of Iraq and how it has demonstrated a strong role in regional peace and security issues, particularly the organisation of the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership in August 2021.

He further welcomed cooperation between the Governments of Iraq and Kuwait in searching for Kuwaiti and citizens of third countries going missing in Iraq with the help from the UNAMI and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Elections in Libya

On the same day, Ambassador Phạm Hải Anh, Deputy Permanent Representative of Việt Nam to the United Nations (UN), has called on parties involved in Libya to speed up the transitional process in Libya towards holding successful and timely elections in the country.

Addressing a meeting of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on the situation in Libya on Tuesday, the Vietnamese diplomat reiterated the importance to continue fully complying with the ceasefire and intensifying efforts to address economic and humanitarian challenges in Libya, including activities to protect civilians and improve education about the risks related to mines and explosive remnants of war in the country.

Countries bear the main responsibility for ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law, preventing and punishing serious criminal offences, he said.

He also emphasised that the prosecution of violations of international humanitarian law and serious crimes should be conducted in accordance with basic principles of international law, including respect for national independence and sovereignty.

UNSC member nations called on relevant parties in Libya to make efforts to hold presidential and parliamentary elections within the set deadlines and continue to fully implement the ceasefire agreement signed on October 23, 2020.

Several countries expressed support for the International Criminal Court (ICC)’s role and activities of the court’s Prosecutor on the basis of the UNSC's Resolution 1970 (adopted in 2011), and called on Libya’s authorities and relevant countries to fully cooperate with ICC.

Ambassador Taher El-Sonni, head of the Libyan delegation, emphasised the commitment of parties involved in Libya in promoting the transition progress towards elections by the end of this year.

The political situation in Libya has seen important developments in the context that stakeholders in the country are preparing to hold elections on December 24. Under its Resolution 1970, the UNSC invited the chief prosecutor of the ICC to report every six months on alleged acts of crimes against humanity and war crimes related to Libya to the council. VNS