UN pledges central role in Libyan transition

National Transitional Council (NTC) chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil (L) and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon take part in the Libya Contact Group meeting at the United Nations in New York September 20, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

UNITED NATIONS - The president of the 66th General Assembly session, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nassir, said here Tuesday that the United Nations will play a central role in the political transition and reconstruction in Libya.

The president made the statement as he was addressing a high- level meeting on Libya, which was convened by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the sidelines of the annual General Debate of the 193-nation Assembly.

"The United Nations will play a central role in coordinating international support for the political transition in Libya and the reconstruction of the country," he said.

At the same time, Al-Nassir extended his welcome to a recent resolution adopted by the UN Security Council to set up a United Nations Support Mission in Libya, under the leadership of Ban's special representative, to assist and support the Libyan national efforts to undertake political transition and reconstruction.

"After such a period of insecurity and fundamental change, the international community must continue to stand ready to support the Libyan-led transition," he said.  "We must answer the requests of Libyans themselves for help in reconstructing their country."

However, Al-Nassir also noted that it is for the interim Libyan authorities to define their national needs, priorities and transition requirements.

On Monday, Ban appointed Ian Martin from Britain to head the UN mission in Libya.