Latest news with #HannaTetteh
Libya Review
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Libya Review
UN Condemns Calls for Violence Against Staff in Libya
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has expressed deep concern over recent statements by certain Libyan political figures who, according to the mission, appear to not only endorse public protests but actively encourage illegal actions against UN staff and property. In a statement, the mission warned that 'campaigns of incitement and disinformation' could signal efforts to derail political progress aimed at holding national elections, unifying state institutions, and achieving lasting peace in Libya. UNSMIL called on all parties to uphold the peaceful nature of demonstrations, refrain from unlawful actions, and resolve disputes through constructive dialogue. The mission referenced the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations and its agreement with Libyan authorities, which guarantee the inviolability of UN premises. It urged full respect for the UN's facilities, staff, and assets in accordance with international law. The statement follows an incident last Tuesday, when protesters stormed the UN mission's compound in Janzour, west of Tripoli, shortly after UN Special Representative Hanna Tetteh delivered a briefing to the UN Security Council on the situation in Libya. Videos circulated on social media showed demonstrators demanding the expulsion of the UN mission and the resignation of the Government of National Unity led by Abdulhamid Dbaiba. In response, UNSMIL met with a delegation representing the demonstrators from the western region. The mission noted that the group voiced their frustration with the continued political and economic deterioration across Libya. Reaffirming its 'unconditional respect' for the right to peaceful protest, UNSMIL stressed its commitment to ongoing dialogue with all Libyans. The mission said it had received petitions from protesters during previous demonstrations and would continue to do so, promoting mutual respect and open discussion. Tags: Janzourlibyatripoliununsmil
Zawya
2 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Future political agreements must reflect the aspirations of all Libyans, say southern representatives in public consultation
Special Representative of the Secretary-General Hanna Tetteh met with twenty-eight representatives from the south at UNSMIL's premises in Tripoli. The meeting aimed to gather their views on the Advisory Committee's recommendations as part of the Mission's ongoing public consultations. The representatives from Sebha, Birak al-Shati', Murzuq, Ghat, Jufrah, Ubar, Gatroun and Tahala, welcomed the briefing by SRSG Tetteh on the outcomes of the Advisory Committee. They emphasized the importance of equal representation, equitable development, and fair access for all to political mechanisms. They highlighted that any future agreement must reflect the aspirations of all Libyans, especially those historically marginalized. Participants addressed the representation of cultural components in the political process, saying: '15% is not enough, Libya is ethnically diverse, and we must guarantee fair representation to all Libyans.' Many participants also expressed support for option four, viewing it as a path that would grant Libyans a greater voice in the process but highlighted concerns it could repeat previous failed political processes. Comprising of mayors, municipal council members and representatives of political parties, the meeting was also attended by Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General, Political, Stephanie Koury, who briefed the participants on the full process of the Advisory Committee's report. UNSMIL published the Executive Summary of the Advisory Committee's Report in May, including its four proposed options to move the political process forward. It also launched a public consultation and survey to ask people to put forward their recommendations and ideas and decided which of these options they would prefer: Conducting presidential and legislative elections simultaneously; Conducting parliamentary elections first, followed by the adoption of a permanent constitution; Adopting a permanent constitution before elections; or Establishing a political dialogue committee, based on the Libyan Political Agreement to finalize electoral laws, executive authority and permanent constitution. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
Libya Observer
3 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Observer
UNSMIL listens to protesters' demands outside its headquarters in Janzour
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) met with a delegation from the National Dialogue Committee in the western region, representing the protesters who had gathered earlier on Tuesday evening outside its headquarters in Janzour. In a statement, the UN mission said the representatives expressed their frustration with the ongoing political and economic deterioration across Libya, emphasizing the urgent need to change the government through the House of Representatives and the High Council of State. UNSMIL added that the delegation stressed the importance of a time-bound political process with clear milestones leading to elections. The delegation called on the mission to take their concerns seriously and to support a fast-track path that considers the demands of the Libyan people, ensures accountability and inclusiveness, and leads to tangible progress in the political process. The mission reaffirmed that it will continue to work with Libyans in their pursuit of unified institutions and holding elections as soon as possible, according to the statement. Earlier on Tuesday, protesters stormed the UN mission's headquarters in Janzour, west of the capital Tripoli, following a briefing by the mission's head, Hanna Tetteh, to the UN Security Council on the latest developments in Libya. Videos circulating on Facebook showed groups of demonstrators gathering at the gate of the headquarters, attempting to enter before the security personnel guarding the building withdrew.
Asharq Al-Awsat
3 days ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Tetteh Urges All Libyans to Engage in Political Process
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya, Hanna Tetteh has stressed the need for all Libyans to actively participate in the political process and play a role in shaping Libya's future. Tetteh's comments came shortly before her briefing to the Security Council on the situation in the North African country. On Tuesday, the UN Special Representative and her Deputy for Political Affairs, Stephanie Koury, briefed a delegation of 28 representatives of civil society organizations from the southern region, including mayors and municipality members, on the outcomes of the Advisory Committee and the country-wide consultations led by the UN mission regarding the political process, as well as the recent meeting of the International Follow-up Committee in Berlin. The participants told Tetteh that the ongoing institutional divisions between the east and west are negatively impacting the south. They expressed a strong desire to see national elections through which all Libyans can choose their leaders and establish unified national institutions. The southern delegation stressed the importance of ensuring that all cultural components have the opportunity to participate equally as citizens in the governance of the country. Tetteh then held a meeting with the mayors of Misrata, Tarhouna, Khoms, Zliten, and Qasr al-Akhyar to discuss the options put forward by the Advisory Committee, as well as the ongoing challenges faced by municipalities across Libya. UNSMIL stated the mayors conveyed their support for the work of the Advisory Committee and submitted a petition to Tetteh expressing their support for inclusive dialogue involving elected municipal councils and an end to the protracted transitional phases in Libya. The mayors also stressed the need for effective administrative decentralization, and the allocation of resources to the municipalities to support adequate service delivery, and noted that the municipalities were currently underfunded. They also voiced concerns over irresponsible public spending, which they warned poses a threat to the Libyan state, and called for the adoption of clear criteria for allocations of development funds. They noted the importance of strengthening decentralization as a means to provide critical support for the Libyan people. In a related development, the Chairman of the High National Elections Commission (HNEC), Emad Al-Sayeh, met Monday in Tripoli with British Ambassador to Libya Martin Longden to discuss ways the UK can support Libya's electoral process. Longden reaffirmed the UK's commitment to providing technical and advisory support to the HNEC, aimed at strengthening its readiness and ensuring elections are held with integrity and transparency. Meanwhile, Libya's interim Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah chaired an expanded meeting on Monday to follow up on the latest developments in the implementation of the 'Emmar Tripoli' (Tripoli Re/Development) program, launched by the his government, with the aim of improving infrastructure and enhancing the aesthetic and urban character of the capital. During the meeting, Dbeibah stressed the need to overcome obstacles and accelerate the pace of work according to the approved timetables, stressing the importance of daily field follow-up to achieve the set goals.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Aftermath of Tripoli clashes puts Libya's fragile stability to the test
Nearly 15 years after Gaddafi's fall, Libya remains split between the internationally recognised Government of National Unity in Tripoli, and the rival Government of National Stability in Benghazi. Although a truce was reached on 14 May, the outbreak of fighting last month in the capital 'temporarily disrupted UN development and humanitarian operations,' said top UN envoy Hanna Tetteh. Fragile Truce On 18 May, with support from the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), the Presidential Council established a Truce Committee. Composed of key security actors, the body has been mandated to monitor the upholding of the ceasefire, facilitate a permanent end to the fighting and ensure the protection of civilians. As UNSMIL works to ease tensions and prevent further clashes, the Presidential Council has also set up a temporary Security and Military Arrangement Committee, tasked with sustaining peace and reorganising security forces in the capital. 'The truce, however, remains fragile, and the overall security situation unpredictable,' said Ms. Tetteh. Alleged grave violations The armed clashes that erupted in May resulted in civilian deaths and injuries, as well as damage to critical civilian infrastructure, underscoring the shortcomings of State security forces in adhering to international humanitarian and human rights law, she continued. Ms. Tetteh expressed alarm over mass graves found in Abu Slim, citing emerging evidence of serious human rights violations – including extrajudicial killings, torture, and enforced disappearances – allegedly by State security forces. 'The presence of charred remains, unidentified bodies in morgues, and a suspected unofficial detention site at Abu Salim Zoo underscores the scale and gravity of these abuses,' she said. Demand for change 'Many Libyans are deeply disillusioned with the prolonged transitional period and have lost confidence in the current institutions and leadership,' said Ms. Tetteh. As civilians increasingly doubt the current leadership's willingness to put national interests above their own, there is strong demand for a political process that allows public participation, enables elections, and delivers a democratic government with a clear mandate for real change. UNSMIL intends to present a time-bound and politically pragmatic roadmap – with the goal of reaching the end of the transitional process – by the time of her next briefing, Ms. Tetteh told ambassadors. 'I urge all parties to engage in good faith and to be ready to forge consensus on this roadmap,' she said. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.
