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South Africa was deeply concerned about the deteriorating political and humanitarian situation in Libya, which was fast becoming a full-blown civil war. It was our hope that this situation would be resolved in a peaceful manner in accordance with the will of the Libyan people.

A holistic political solution ought to be found that would respect democracy; political reform; justice; human rights as well as the socio - economic development needs of the people of Libya; in order to ensure long - term peace and stability. This solution must also preserve the unity; sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Libya.

It is in this context that South Africa commended the decision of the African Union Peace and Security Council to dispatch an Ad - Hoc High Level Committee to Libya to intensify efforts towards finding a lasting political solution to the crisis in Libya; in the best interests of its people.

We urged this Committee; of which South Africa is a member; to work closely with the Special Envoy of the Secretary General to Libya; and the League of Arab States in coordinating the search for peaceful political solution in this regard. In adopting Resolution 1970; the Security Council had hoped that the Libyan authorities would act responsibly and stop committing more acts of violence against their own people.

The authorities have defied this Resolution and continued to kill and displace thousands of civilians whilst continuing to violate their human rights. We believed that the United Nations and the Security Council could not be silent nor be seen to be doing nothing in the face of such grave acts of violence committed against innocent civilians.

We believed that by adopting this Resolution 1973; which South Africa voted in favour; the Security Council has responded appropriately to the call of the countries of the region to strengthen the implementation of Resolution 1970 and has acted responsibly to protect and save the lives of defenceless civilians who were faced with brutal acts of violence carried out by the Libyan authorities.

South Africa believes that the adoption of these additional measures including a ceasefire and no - fly zone as authorized by this Resolution; constitute an important element for the protection of civilians and the safety of the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those most vulnerable and those desperately in need of such assistance.

As a matter of principle; we have supported the Resolution with the necessary caveats to preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Libya; and rejecting any foreign occupation or unilateral military intervention under the pretext of protection of civilians. It is our hope that this Resolution will be implemented in full respect for both its letter and spirit.

We are confident that this is consistent with the African Union Peace and Security Council decision to "respect the unity and territorial integrity of Libya as well as its rejection of any foreign military intervention; whatever its form".

South Africa will continue to work through this Council, the AU and other multilateral as well as bilateral platforms to contribute towards a speedy resolution of the Libyan crisis in a manner consistent with the aspirations of the people of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.