Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a letter to the UN Security Council justifying the bombing of the Libyan city of Derna on Friday and Saturday by citing Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations.
The Permanent Mission of Egypt to the United Nations delivered the letter the President of the Security Council on May 27, informing the Council that the airstrikes targeting terrorist organizations in the eastern city of Derna were consistent with Article 51 and with the Security Council’s resolutions on combating terrorism.
Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations stipulates: Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security. Measures taken by Members in the exercise of this right of self-defense shall be immediately reported to the Security Council and shall not in any way affect the authority and responsibility of the Security Council under the present Charter to take at any time such action as it deems necessary in order to maintain or restore international peace and security.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
