On 9 April, UN Envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame said in a statement that he is postponing the National Conference that was due to take place on 14- 16 April. In addition, Germany has reportedly called for a UN Security Council briefing on Libya (UNSC), to take this afternoon. Salame will brief the UNSC members at this meeting on the situation in Libya. Salame concluded his lengthy statement saying:
I therefore reiterate that I am more determined than ever to hold the National Conference at the earliest possible opportunity, as we cannot allow the historic opportunity it presents to be lost. We also cannot ask Libyans to attend a Conference to the backdrop of artillery shelling and air raids as we must ensure that all of those who expressed willingness to respond to this historic and national event from all over the country are able to attend and are able to voice their opinions freely. I will work, to the fullest possible extent, to enable the Libyan National Conference to take place as soon as possible, once the conditions to enable it to be held are re-established. I will work day and night to put an end to the current military escalation, ensure that reason and national interest once again supersede force and mend the external differences to enable the resolution of the crisis in Libya.
Postponing the conference is not unexpected given the circumstances, but nevertheless reiterates that the UN and internationals have so far not had enough to leverage to even enforce a humanitarian ceasefire, let alone a return to dialogue. Salame remains in Tripoli but some UN staff have been evacuated to Tunis. Salame’s efforts will likely now be focused on finding at least a temporary halt to the fighting in Tripoli. Russia is likely to veto any UNSC movement to directly criticise Libyan National Army (LNA) leader Khalifa Haftar, so it is unclear how much pressure the UN will be able to apply to end the violence.