UNSC voted on a resolution condemning illegal Libyan oil export

UN Security Council (UNSC) on 20 March 2014 unanimously voted in favor of a resolution 2146 (2014) that condemns the illegal (illicit) export of Libyan crude oils. The Security Council also imposed sanctions on vessels carrying illicit oil shipments.

The Council has also called on the countries to prohibit ships carrying illegal Libyan oil cargo from entering their ports. It has asked them to return the oil found on seized vessels to Libya. The resolution of the Security Council has also authorised UN member states to inspect any vessel that it suspects for illegal carriage of Libyan oil after coordinating with the ship’s flag state.

This resolution 2146 (2014) was adopted following an incident that occurred earlier in March 2014. The incident was a North Korean-flagged (DPRK) Vessel, named Morning Glory, loaded crude oil that belonged to a joint venture between the Libyan National Oil Company and some United States companies at the rebel-held port of Sidra in eastern Libya.

As per the reports, the Morning Glory carried a cargo of estimated 20 million dollar, which was seized by the US Navy in international waters off the coast of Cyprus. The vessel was seized on  a request of both Cyprus and Libya.

Background
Security Council’s resolution was unanimously adopted under the Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. The 15-member body condemned attempts to illicitly export crude oil from Libya.

The new resolution has requested Libya to pass on the information to the Security Council Committee that oversees the arms embargo, travel ban and assets freeze imposed in the country by resolution 1970 (known as the 1970 Committee) of any vessels transporting crude oil illicitly exported from Libya. It also decided that the 1970 Committee would designate those vessels for some or all measures authorized in the resolution on case-by-case basis for a period of 90 days.