Tripoli: Europe and the Arabs
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) expressed concern over recent political and security developments and warned of the risks of escalating unilateral actions by political and security actors.
The mission, known as UNSMIL, called on all political and security actors to refrain from taking steps that would harm the consultation process and undermine the fragile peace and stability in the country, according to the UN Daily News Bulletin.
The UN mission stated that the transitional process in Libya has been characterized by deepening political divisions due to unilateral actions. It added that continuing this trend threatens to further fragment state institutions.
The mission called on political and security actors to commit to creating the necessary conditions for constructive consultations that establish a consensual political framework that will guide the country toward inclusive and credible elections.
It stated that this is essential to achieving the aspirations of the Libyan people for a representative government and a unified, stable, and prosperous country. Last week, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya said that all Libyan institutions had exceeded their mandates, stressing the need to hold national elections and establish a government that enjoys the trust of the people. She warned that the institutional division, if not contained, could lead to further deepening divisions.
In her first interview with UN News since assuming her position earlier this year, Hana Tetteh said that the various parties agree on the need to hold elections, but there are divergent views on how to proceed.
She noted that leaders in western Libya emphasize the importance of resolving fundamental issues first—such as drafting a constitution and unifying the core state institutions responsible for administering elections. In eastern Libya, stakeholders are calling for the formation of a new government first, which can then lead the country to national elections. To help resolve differences and bring views closer, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) established an Advisory Committee, a technical body tasked with assessing the challenges facing the electoral process and providing recommendations on a viable roadmap.
A few days earlier, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya called on the international community to cooperate on a unified plan to support a democratic state that meets the needs of the Libyan people and promotes economic growth and equitable development, noting that inaction would be more harmful than the cost of change.
Ms. Hannah Tetteh delivered her first briefing to the Security Council since assuming her position at the beginning of this year, reviewing the Secretary-General's report on the situation in Libya and highlighting the latest political, security, and economic developments in the country.
She stated that since her arrival in Libya in February of this year, she had conducted extensive consultations with Libyan actors from across society—political, military, security, and judicial—as well as with oversight institutions, political parties, civil society leaders, women leaders, and diplomats. She stated that their views on the current situation in Libya are of utmost importance. She added that she heard divergent views, with most Libyan leaders calling for an inclusive political process and stressing the urgent need to end unilateral actions, unify institutions, and restore stability. She noted that some believe that a new unified government is the only solution, while others believe it will prolong the nearly 15-year transitional period. She said this view emphasizes the importance of strengthening existing institutions, noting that the formation of a transitional government has not addressed the fundamental challenges facing Libya. While all parties agree on holding elections, there are divergent views on establishing a constitutional framework prior to holding general elections.