UN envoy to Libya Bernardino Leon on Thursday sought "full clarification" of a published report of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) illegally shipping arms to the conflict-torn North African nation, reconsidering his new position in the UAE.

"The UAE violated the UN Security Council Resolution on Libya and continues to do so," The New York Times reported Thursday, quoting Ahmed al-Qasimi, a senior Emirati diplomat.

"In light of this report, I have decided to request a full clarification of the issue, including from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities, as I take time to reflect on the next steps in my professional career," the UN envoy said in a statement issued at the UN Headquarters in New York late Thursday.

Leon has been criticized for a possible conflict of interest in negotiating a position with the UAE Diplomatic Academy while he was working on a power-sharing agreement between the two sides in Libya to end the fighting.

The UAE was involved in a proxy war against Qatar, supporting anti-Islamists in Libya while the Doha government backed Islamist factions.

Leon will be replaced by Martin Kobler of Germany as UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's special representative in Libya.

"Given the inaccurate or false information we have seen in previous months regarding the process in Libya and the UN and my role, I believe it is imperative to be extremely cautious about the most recent reports," Leon said in his statement.

"This is the most critical moment for peace in Libya. I encourage all Libyans to continue to work and finalize their efforts and not to be driven by any other consideration than the national interest," he said. Endi

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