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TAEMUN VII December 6-7, 2019
BACKGROUND GUIDE
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
Topic A: The Libyan Civil War
Topic B: The Role of Reconciliation in the Maintenance of International Peace and Security
Director: Samantha Grealish
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Esteemed Delegates,
My name is Samantha Grealish, and I am currently a sophomore at Thomas A. Edison High
School. This is my first year participating in Model UN, and I am very excited to have the
opportunity to direct such an important committee. Although this is my first year in Model UN, I
was previously a part of the Model U.S. Senate Team at my last school. I am currently on Edison’s
Speech and Debate Team, and in my free time, I enjoy reading, playing the violin, and watching
Friends. I look forward to a productive and interesting committee session!
Best regards,
Samantha Grealish
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Introduction
The United Nations Security Council is the principal organ in the United Nations System
that is tasked with the protection of international peace and security. Established by Chapter V in
the Charter, the Security Council is comprised of the five permanent members (these same five
members who also have the veto power on the Council): The United States of America, the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the French Republic, the Russian Federation, and
the People’s Republic of China. Along with the five permanent members, 10 members are elected
to the Council for a two-year term basis from the General Assembly and be geographically
distributed.
The Security Council is the only organ within the United Nations system that has the ability
to issue sanctions upon member states or individuals in the international system. The Council is
also tasked with the deployment of peacekeeping missions across the world when needed to ensure
peace and stability. The Security Council is also the only organ that can issue binding resolutions
upon members’ states of the United Nations system. Should a resolution be issued by the Security
Council, all member states are required to adhere to the language of the document.
However, the body has experienced its fair share of criticism on its powers and functions
as a whole. For example, the ability of the permanent members to perform a fait accompli before
voting on any draft resolutions that are on the floor separate from the rest of the Council, where
they can attempt to lobby and caucus without the presence of the non-permanent members. The
veto powers that are also given to the permanent members are also used as a criticism, as many
felt that the veto powers hold the Council, and the international community hostage to the whims
of an individual nation and in some cases, on the whims of its good allies on the council. While
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there have been some amendments made to change the nature and composition of the council, no
serious amendments to change the Security Council or the United Nations Charter have been taken
or made.
As is the nature of the United Nations Security Council, there will be some special motions that
will be outlined for delegates to utilize:
• Fait accompli: Utilized only by the P5 members within the Security Council, this move
must be motioned by one of the P5 members and must have (minimum) one second from
the other P5. The fait accompli can only be motioned when draft language has been
introduced to the Council and is on the floor, before moving into voting procedure.
Maximum of 10 minutes will be given for delegates to utilize the fait accompli session.
Bear in mind (with Quorum) that the Security Council will continue deliberations.
• United Nations General Assembly Resolution 377: The “Uniting for Peace” resolution,
which allows for two thirds of the General Assembly to overrule the veto power of the
United Nations Security Council on the debate for a particular topic. For TAEMUN VII
and the Security Council, ANY member of the Security Council (including the observer
member states [Palestine and The Holy See can NOT] at the meeting) can motion to
enact UNGA Resolution 377, and this motion will only require a minimum of TWO
seconds. The member of the Security Council that motions to enact this resolution must
choose which General Assembly to bring the removal before: The First Committee
(DISEC), the Third Committee (SOCHUM) and the Fourth Committee (SPECPOL). Once
brought before the General Assembly Committee, two speakers for and two speakers
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against will be required to speak in front of the General Assembly to sway the selected
committee to either vote for removal, or against removal of the veto power for the
selected topic only.
• General Assembly Resolutions: All General Assembly Resolutions (from DISEC,
SOCHUM and SPECPOL) that have been passed in committee will be sent to the United
Nations Security Council for a final vote.
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Topic A: The Libyan Civil War
Background
Although the start of the Second Libyan Civil War was fairly recent, there are numerous
factors that have contributed to the rise of this conflict. During the First Libyan Civil War in 2011,
the rebels, led by the Transitional National Council (TNC), were fighting to overthrow Libyan
dictator Muammar al-Qaddafi. Eventually, the rebels were successful in their quest; Qadafi was
found and assassinated on October 20, 2011. However, without a dictator, Libya no longer had a
functional government. The TNC appointed themselves to be the interim government of Libya
until a new, efficient government was created. They struggled to enforce their policies upon
Libyans, as there were many autonomous groups during the First Civil War that saw the TNC’s
weak grasp on power as an opportunity to seize control of the government. This was the cause of
Libya’s Second Civil War.
One of these autonomous groups, the Libyan National Army (LNA), led by General
Khalifa Haftar, claims the goal of the LNA is to cleanse Libya of terrorist groups. Haftar had
assisted Qaddafi in overthrowing King Idris I in 1969 and was a supporter of Qaddafi’s during the
First Civil War; the major concern of Libyans is that Haftar will establish another dictatorship
similar to Qaddafi’s. In April 2019, the LNA began attacks on the Libyan capital Tripoli. Within
one month, 400 people were killed, and 50,000 people were displaced. This violence has stalled
the creation of a new government, meaning the TNC interim government is the only obstacle to
Haftar establishing a new dictatorship.
The conflicts in Tripoli and the absence of a stable, permanent government have
contributed to Libya’s poor economy, despite having an abundance of oil. Trade sanctions have
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been put in place by supranational organizations around the world, meaning Libya has very
minimal income. This has resulted in a GDP per capita of $9600 (2017); roughly one-third of
Libyans live below the national poverty line.
Current Situation
Presently, the TNC’s UN-backed temporary government, led by Prime Minister Fayez al-
Serraj, has control of Tripoli. This constant combat has not only affected Libya’s economy, but it
has affected migrants as well. Because Libya has a border along the Mediterranean Sea, migrants
often stop in Libya before emigrating to Europe. However, the constant fighting has prevented
anyone from leaving the country. Refugees from as far as Eritrea and Somalia are held captive in
one of Libya’s 26 detention centers. Each of these centers is seriously overpopulated, and living
conditions are inadequate. At these centers, frequent problems include human trafficking, sexual
abuse, and forced labor.
In an attempt to quell the LNA, a House of Representatives was created; each
representative was self-appointed, as Libya’s government was too disorganized to run elections.
Unfortunately, the House of Representatives has proved ineffective because legislation created
cannot be enforced. In May 2019, the House of Representatives building was hit with an aerial
bomb, and one of the representatives was kidnapped by the militia. Libya’s Government of
National Accord (GNA) believes that the LNA was responsible for the incident.
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Past United Nations Actions
The United Nations has been involved in both the First Civil War and the Second Civil
War. As mentioned previously, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) had unanimously
approved exacting economic sanctions; additionally, they placed a travel ban and implemented an
arms embargo on Libya during the First Civil War (2011). Later that year, the UNSC proceeded
to authorize military action with a vote of 10-0; Russia, China, Brazil, India, and Germany had
abstained from voting. In response to this, Qaddafi had called a cease-fire; regardless pro-Qaddafi
forces continued launching attacks. On September 15, 2011, after the rebel forces had gained
control of Tripoli, the UN General Assembly voted to officially recognize the TNC government
as the representation for Libya.
During the Second Civil War, the Secretary-General of the UN, Antonio Guterres, visited
Libya during April 2019. The UN has called for the LNA to cease attacks immediately. The
International Criminal Court (ICC) has begun investigating Libyan migrant cases and hopes to
soon begin searching for criminal suspects, among them Saif Al-Islam Qaddafi, Muammar
Qaddafi’s son. The ICC does not have the power to arrest or track these suspects; this power still
remains with the states. However, according to Fatou Bensouda, the ICC Prosecutor, the ICC is,
“developing, in coordination with the states, enhanced strategies, and methodologies to track and
arrest suspects” (“Violence, Atrocities, and Impunity”).
Questions to Consider
1. What resolutions could improve the quality of life of Libyan migrants?
2. How involved should the UN be in this conflict?
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3. Will stimulating Libya’s economy indirectly aid the TNC government?
Works Cited
Borges, Anelise. “Watch: Special Report from inside War-Torn Libya.” Euronews, 13 June
2019, www.euronews.com/2019/06/13/escaping-libya.
“Libya: Who Is Khalifa Haftar and Why Does He Want to Take Tripoli?| DW News.” YouTube,
YouTube, 6 Apr. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=j91STBXHgRI.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Libya Revolt of 2011.” Encyclopædia Britannica,
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 8 Feb. 2019,
www.britannica.com/event/Libya-Revolt-of-2011.
“The World Factbook: Libya.” Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, 1 Feb.
2018, www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/the-world-factbook/geos/ly.html.
“'Violence, Atrocities and Impunity' Reign throughout Libya, ICC Prosecutor Tells UN Security
Council | UN News.” United Nations, United Nations, 6 Nov. 2019,
news.un.org/en/story/2019/11/1050771.
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Topic B: The Role of Reconciliation in the Maintenance of International Peace
and Security
Background
During the Nineteenth Century, foreign relations were remarkably irrelevant; however, this
approach to international policy became outdated following monumental events such as World
War I. It quickly became clear that international relationships between states were necessary to
better prevent any conflicts or violence. This led to the creation of the League of Nations in 1920
after World War I. The League of Nations, however, proved greatly ineffective in preventing the
start of World War II due to a lack of military force and enforcement powers. In 1945, after World
War II, the League of Nations was succeeded by the United Nations, a new supranational
organization created to facilitate international relations between all member states. The addition
of Russia and the United States as Permanent Five members of the United Nations Security
Council provided the UN with the implied military power and international endorsement that the
League of Nations severely lacked. Reconciliation is vital for supranational organizations such as
the UN because, as exemplified by the League of Nations, without it, the union would collapse. As
a result, the United Nations has been able to remain relevant in the international community and
maintain universal foreign influence.
One of the UN’s core purposes is to be an impartial facilitator of reconciliation and
diplomacy in the complex stage of foreign interaction and international relationships.
Reconciliation is the restoration of affable relations between two or more states. The extent of UN
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involvement in international conflicts remains a gray area; this makes it difficult for the UN to
create resolutions without favoring any member states.
Current Situation
As of right now, there are numerous international conflicts and challenges that the UN has
difficulty preventing and mediating. A prime example of this is the Democratic People’s Republic
of Korea (DPRK)’s development of nuclear weapons. The DPRK has been actively testing
missiles; during Kim Jung-Un’s reign alone, there have been 91 missile launches. In response, the
UN has implemented travel bans, arms embargoes, and economic sanctions. While this has
drastically harmed the DPRK’s economy, it has not been as effective as the UN had intended some
member states have not been enforcing these sanctions, namely China and Russia. Right now, the
UN is conflicted as to what to do next as foreign powers fail to reach an agreement. On the one
hand, more economic sanctions would further harm the DPRK’s economy; however, Russia and
China are unlikely to follow these sanctions, and this could jeopardize United States-China
diplomatic relations. On the other hand, not implementing any resolutions at all will allow the
DPRK to continue this activity, and this would make the UN seen as lenient and permissive. The
United Nations faces challenges maintaining a diplomatic relationship with the DPRK while also
enforcing policies to minimize the threat of weapons of mass destruction to international peace
and security.
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Past United Nations Actions
In the past, the United Nations has played an active role in reconciling conflicts between
states. One example of this is the Kosovo conflict. Kosovo was a Serbian province which was
demographically dominated by Albanians. This difference of ethnicities caused tensions to
heighten, which led to the creation of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) in 1998. The KLA
believed that violence was the most effective way to gain independence for Kosovo; therefore,
they spread terror throughout Serbia by attacking policemen and politicians. In response, the
UNSC implemented an arms embargo but it had very little effect; the violence persisted, driving
hundreds of thousands of Albanians out of the country. In March 1999, the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) began bombing Serbian military targets. Thankfully, the NATO bombings
ceased after 11 weeks, and in June 1999, NATO and Yugoslavia signed a peace agreement.
However, the conflict did not end; in 2008, Kosovo claimed independence from Serbia. The UN
also established the United Nations Interim Administration Mission Kosovo, which was tasked
with assisting Kosovo in establishing a government and protecting the human rights of Albanian
Kosovars.
Based on this example, it is clear that without reconciliation, legislation is disorganized
and ineffective. In times of conflict, member states become divided, as most end up taking sides,
which means it would take considerably longer to create resolutions.
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Questions to Consider
1. How can an excessively diplomatic approach to foreign negotiations cause challenges in
solidifying and enforcing future agreements?
2. What is the best way to respond to violations of previously instated agreements in order to
maintain sustainable relationships with the violating state?
3. What is the most effective solution to denuclearize DPRK and ensure the non-proliferation
of nuclear weapons and other advanced weapons technology?
Works Cited
Duan, Amber. “What to Know About Sanctions on North Korea.” Council on Foreign Relations,
Council on Foreign Relations, 16 July 2019,
www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-know-about-sanctions-north-korea.
Hahn, Bae-ho, and Woo-ik Yu. “Local Government.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia
Britannica, Inc., 30 Oct. 2019,
www.britannica.com/place/North-Korea/Local-government#ref34938.
“Resolution 984.” UNSCR, UNSCR Search Engine for the United Nations Security Council
Resolutions, unscr.com/en/resolutions/984.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Kosovo Conflict.” Encyclopædia Britannica,
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 25 Feb. 2019,
www.britannica.com/event/Kosovo-conflict.
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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “League of Nations.” Encyclopædia Britannica,
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 1 Nov. 2019,
www.britannica.com/topic/League-of-Nations/Third-period-1931-36.
“UNMIK Peacekeeping.” United Nations, United Nations,
peacekeeping.un.org/en/mission/unmik.
