United Nations Security Council Resolution 2016

United Nations Security Council Resolution 2016 was unanimously adopted on 27 October 2011 on the situation of Libya during the Libyan Civil War.

UN Security Council Resolution 2016
Map of Libya
Date	27 October 2011
Meeting no.	6,640
Code	S/RES/2016 (Document)
Subject	Libyan Civil War
Voting summary	15 voted for None voted against None abstained
Result	Adopted
Security Council composition
Permanent members	China France Russia United Kingdom United States
Non-permanent members	Bosnia–Herzegovina Brazil Colombia Germany Gabon India Lebanon Nigeria Portugal South Africa
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Recognizing the "positive developments" in Libya after the Libyan Civil War and the death of Muammar Gaddafi, the resolution set a date of termination for the provisions of Security Council Resolution 1973. This allowed states to undertake "all necessary measures" to protect civilians and which formed the legal basis for military intervention by a number of foreign states. The termination date was set at 23:59, Libyan local time on 31 October 2011. The no-fly zone created with Resolution 1973 was also lifted on that date.^[1]

Key Points

The resolution, adopted under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter:

• strongly urges the Libyan authorities to refrain from reprisals, including arbitrary detentions,
• calls upon the Libyan authorities to take all steps necessary to prevent reprisals, wrongful imprisonment and extrajudicial executions,
• underscores the Libyan authorities’ responsibility for the protection of its population, including foreign nationals and African migrants;
• urges all Member States to cooperate closely with the Libyan authorities in their efforts to end impunity for violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law;
• terminates the provisions on paragraphs 4 and 5 ("Protection of Civilians") and the provisions of paragraphs 6 to 12 ("No-Fly Zone") of Resolution 1973 (2011) at 23.59 Libyan local time on 31 October 2011.

Voting

Approved (15)	Abstained (0)	Opposed (0)
United States  United Kingdom  Gabon  Colombia  Nigeria  France  Bosnia and Herzegovina  Portugal  South Africa  Lebanon  India  China  Germany  Brazil  Russia

* Permanent members of the Security Council are in bold.

Observations

The Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, William Hague, called the resolution a "milestone towards a peaceful, democratic future for Libya". The United States ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, said history would regard the intervention as "a proud chapter in the Security Council's experience".^[2] Russia's ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, said "we expect the NATO council to act in accordance with this decision".^[3]

See also

• List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2001 to 2100
• United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973
• United Nations Security Council Resolution 1970