Security Council hears that current situation in Libya is ‘unsustainable’ and increasingly unstable

Stephanie Koury, Deputy Special Representative and Officer in Charge of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (NO SMILE), said these developments “has increased tensions, further cemented institutional and political divisions and complicated efforts for a negotiated political solution.“ .

UNSMIL is working to promote de-escalation and she stressed the need for the Council’s support.

“The current situation is not sustainable,” she said. speak. “In the absence of new political negotiations leading to a unity government and elections, You see where this is heading – greater political, financial and security instability, entrenched political and territorial divisions, and greater domestic and regional instability“ .

One country, two governments

Libya remains divided between two rival governments. The internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) is based in the northwestern city of Tripoli and is led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, while the Government of National Stability (GNS) is based in the east.

The GNU receives advisory support from the High State Council (HSC), and the eastern government is backed by the House of Representatives (HoR) and the so-called Libyan National Army (LNA).

The past two months have seen unilateral security moves from both the LNA and GNU-aligned forces, sparking mobilization from the other side, Ms. Koury said.

Fierce armed conflict

Additionally, violent clashes between two armed groups broke out in Tajoura, east of Tripoli, on August 9, resulting in civilian deaths, injuries, and destruction of property. Local mediation efforts have been able to defuse the situation.

“Unilateral actions by political and security actors are also undermining stability in other ways,” she added.

“Unilateral attempts to remove the Governor of the Central Bank will be met with counter-efforts to maintain him. Efforts to remove the Prime Minister and his Government will be met with efforts to maintain him.”

Similar actions are also causing problems and instability in the economic sector.

Budget battle

After months of efforts to craft a unified budget – with representation from the east, west and south – the HoR passed a supplementary budget allocation last month that was “unilaterally submitted by the government appointed by the House of Representatives”, she said, and was condemned by Western leaders.

She noted that efforts to change the Central Bank Governor continue. The Libyan Presidential Council recently issued a decision to appoint a new Governor and establish a Board of Directors, but the HoR rejected it.

“These efforts are driven by perceived that the Central Bank did not act in a transparent and fair manner towards both the East and the West in terms of resource allocation,” she said.

De-escalation and dialogue

Ms. Koury reported that UNSMIL and UN Member States have been working actively to resolve the situation.

“First step, UNSMIL is working to help facilitate comprehensive de-escalation. and is proposing negotiations to develop a series of confidence-building measures among all parties to end unilateral actions and create a more favorable environment for the resumption of the political process,” she said.

“Among other purposes, these types of measures will aim to end unilateral actions and commitments to do so, restore confidence in the Central Bank, ensure that the moves of the military and security actors are coordinated to prevent mobilization and fear among other purposes.”

Libyan people frustrated and scared

Meanwhile, Libyans are frustrated with the current state of their country and the damage it is causing to their lives.

“Many people today express fear that war will break out again. around clashes between armed groups. They also expressed fear about their ability to speak up, to share their political views, in a space free of threats. Young people see no future, except to try to leave. This is unacceptable.”

She told the Council that UNSMIL was using its good offices to focus on helping to reduce tensions, maintain stability and promote confidence-building measures, while preparing for the convening of Libya-led political talks.

“Advancing the political process, while maintaining stability, is UNSMIL’s top priority,” she said, telling the ambassadors, “I count on your support to move this process forward.”

Local elections are taking place.

Despite the difficult circumstances, Local elections are underway and are expected to take place in mid-October.. About 210,000 people have registered to vote and the distribution of voter cards and candidate registration began on August 18.

“Unfortunately, women’s turnout remains relatively low, at just 30 percent of registered voters,” said Koury.

“I am also concerned that fewer women will stand for election,” she added, calling for more proactive measures to address the “many barriers” they face, including intimidation, online violence and verbal attacks.

Extremist groups and organized crime

Turning to other issues, Ms. Khoury said extremist organizations maintain access and presence in Libya by leveraging relationships with local and transnational organized crime.

This growing relationship is particularly worrying because it has been reported that weapons have been brought into the country in violation of the arms embargo.

On the humanitarian front, she reported that flooding in southwestern Libya on August 16 displaced some 5,800 people. The UN country team responded, coordinating humanitarian aid in coordination with the authorities.

The number of Sudanese refugees in Libya has also increased to 97,000 since the war broke out in April 2023. Most of them arrive in al-Kurfa, where they face difficult conditions, but the UN refugee plan is only 21 percent funded.