UN announces initiative to overcome political deadlock in Libya
UNITED NATIONS — The highest-ranking UN official in Libya announced a new initiative Monday to break a three-year deadlock and move the divided oil-rich North African nation toward national elections.
The UN Deputy Special Envoy for Libya, Stephanie Koury, told the UN Security Council that as a first step, the UN political mission in Libya, known as UNSMIL, plans to establish an advisory committee, with a deadline for developing options to resolve outstanding electoral issues and a roadmap for holding elections.
“The committee will consist of experts and respected personalities, reflecting the spectrum of Libyan political forces, social, cultural and geographical components,” she said.
Koury emphasized that the committee is not a “dialogue group to make decisions,” but to generate options for follow-up actions by Libyan decision-makers.
Libya plunged into chaos after a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed a longtime dictator Moammar Gaddafi in 2011. The country split, with rival governments in the east and west, backed by rogue militias and foreign governments.
That of the country political crisis follows the failure to hold elections on December 24, 2021 and the refusal of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah – who led a transitional government in the western capital Tripoli – to step down.
In response, the eastern-based Libyan parliament appointed a rival prime minister, who was replaced powerful military commander Khalifa Hifter continues to dominate in the east.
Koury said polarization and unresolved electoral issues threaten Libya’s national unity and territorial integrity, crumbling the country’s transitional architecture. And she said competition among armed groups for control of territory and access to Libya’s resources threatens stability.
In recent weeks, Koury said she shared the initiative’s broad framework with key Libyan actors and regional and international partners. On Sunday evening, she presented UNSMIL’s plan to break the political deadlock to the Libyan people.
Its main objectives are stability, pursuing “Libyan ownership,” helping to unite and strengthen Libyan institutions, and promoting the inclusiveness of Libyan political forces and cultural groups.
US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, council president this month, said a new political process is needed in Libya or the country will face deeper divisions, further erosion of sovereignty and a return to violence .
“We continue to believe that the UN is the best-placed international actor to lead that process,” she said. “We call on the entire international community to support these UN-led efforts.”