Latest news with #Libyan-led
Libyan Express
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Libyan Express
UN voices concern over protest at its Tripoli headquarters
Composite image showing the Libyan and UN flags, symbolising the ongoing dialogue and challenges in Libya. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has expressed concern over recent statements by political figures which, according to the Mission, encouraged actions against its headquarters during protests in Tripoli earlier this week. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Mission reaffirmed its full and unconditional support for the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. It stressed, however, the importance of preserving the peaceful nature of demonstrations and avoiding any acts that fall outside the bounds of the law. UNSMIL reiterated its readiness to engage in dialogue with all segments of Libyan society and reaffirmed its commitment to a political process that is Libyan-led and aimed at achieving a sustainable and inclusive resolution to the country's ongoing crisis. The Mission also called on all parties to respect the sanctity of UN premises, personnel, and assets, adding that it is closely monitoring developments on the ground. Protests took place on Tuesday outside the UN compound in Tripoli, where demonstrators called for an end to the transitional period and the holding of national elections. The protest escalated when a group breached one of the external gates of the Mission's headquarters. Videos circulated on social media showed demonstrators gathered outside the compound, chanting against Libya's current political institutions. Some footage appeared to show individuals entering through an outer gate. In a follow-up statement, UNSMIL confirmed that it had received a delegation representing the protesters, identified as members of the 'National Dialogue Committee in the Western Region.' According to the Mission, the delegation expressed deep frustration over the deteriorating political and economic conditions across the country. The delegation reportedly called for a change in government through the House of Representatives and the High Council of State and emphasised the need for a clearly defined, time-bound political process that would lead to long-delayed national elections.
Libya Observer
3 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Observer
UN envoy to Libya briefs Security Council on fragile truce, human rights concerns, and push for elections
UN Special Representative for Libya, Hanna Tetteh, delivered a stark and comprehensive briefing to the UN Security Council on Tuesday, highlighting renewed international engagement, persistent insecurity, and mounting pressure for a political breakthrough in Libya. Tetteh announced the revival of the Berlin Process International Follow-Up Committee, which met on 20 June for the first time in four years, gathering 19 countries and 3 regional organizations. The meeting signaled a renewed global push to support a Libyan-led political roadmap toward national elections. Despite this momentum, Tetteh warned that Tripoli remains unstable, following armed clashes in May that killed civilians, damaged infrastructure, and led to mass protests. A fragile truce, brokered by UNSMIL and managed through new security committees, has helped de-escalate tensions, but risks of renewed violence persist. The presence of heavy arms in urban areas and fears of broader conflict, including the potential involvement of eastern forces, remain high. Tetteh expressed alarm over reports of mass graves and grave human rights violations in Abu Slim, allegedly involving the Stability Support Apparatus (SSA). She called for independent investigations and urgent reform of Libya's security sector, including unrestricted access to detention centers. The SRSG also addressed widespread public disillusionment with Libya's current political institutions. In consultations across the country, Libyans voiced frustration with endless transitions and demanded elections, unified institutions, and accountable governance. These consultations will inform a new time-bound roadmap, which Tetteh aims to present at her next Council briefing. On the economic front, she highlighted the 16% devaluation of the Libyan dinar and warned against unilateral spending decisions, including a controversial 69-billion-dinar development fund proposed by the eastern-based House of Representatives. She stressed the need for a unified, transparent national budget to prevent financial collapse. Tetteh concluded by calling on the Security Council to take a firm stance against spoilers of the peace process and support Libyan aspirations for credible elections and national unity, urging all actors to avoid provocation and work with the UN towards compromise. "We need cool heads, not brinkmanship,' Tetteh said. 'Libyans want elections, accountability, and one government — and they want it now.'
Libya Review
4 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Review
Global Powers Support UNSMIL Roadmap to Resolve Libyan Crisis
At the latest UN Security Council session on Libya, key international representatives expressed deep concern over the country's fragile political and security situation, underscoring a growing consensus on the need for a Libyan-led political solution and institutional reform. British Ambassador Barbara Woodward stressed the UK's alarm over recent violence in Tripoli, urging restraint and constructive engagement from all parties. She welcomed the progress made at the Berlin Follow-up Committee meeting, while warning that Libya's deteriorating political and economic trajectory threatens its stability and sovereignty. Woodward reaffirmed UK support for UNSMIL's roadmap efforts and highlighted the importance of holding credible elections. The US Ambassador echoed support for a Libyan-owned political process, highlighting the independence of institutions like the Central Bank and the National Oil Corporation as vital to long-term stability. She emphasised military integration and arms embargo renewal as key to preventing Libya's entanglement in regional conflicts, and welcomed progress toward East-West security coordination. Russia's representative attributed Libya's crisis to internal political fragmentation, calling for a truly comprehensive process inclusive of all factions. He advocated for unifying the armed forces and warned against imposing external recovery solutions, noting that some political forces have rejected the Advisory Committee's proposals. China's deputy permanent representative Sun Lei emphasised the political process as the cornerstone of regional stability, urging Libyan parties to engage in meaningful dialogue and establish firm security arrangements. He also warned that Libya's worsening economic crisis and currency depreciation could undermine national stability. Algeria's Ambassador Amar Benjama described last month's Tripoli clashes as alarming, reiterating the need to re-establish state authority and disarm illegal groups. He called for a UN-backed, Libyan-led political transition leading to elections and institutional unification, while expressing concern over the depletion of Libya's frozen assets due to mismanagement and outdated sanctions regimes.
Libya Review
4 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Review
US Reaffirms Support for Berlin Process & Libyan Political Roadmap
The United States has reaffirmed its support for military integration between eastern and western Libya as a key measure to protect the country's borders and enhance its sovereignty. The commitment was made by the US representative during a UN Security Council session on Tuesday focused on developments in Libya. Speaking before the Council, the US diplomat emphasized that the Libyan people do not seek involvement in further regional conflicts, such as those unfolding in the Sahel or Sudan. Instead, she stressed that the Libyan public is looking for a path to internal unity, peace, and institutional consolidation. The US representative referred to the recent armed clashes in Tripoli in mid-May, describing them as a reminder of Libya's fragile security landscape. She welcomed the Presidential Council's response—specifically the creation of a Joint Security Committee and plans to establish a unified force responsible for maintaining public order—as a constructive step toward long-term stability. She also noted that the June 20 meeting of the Berlin Process International Follow-Up Committee provided an important platform for the international community to reaffirm its collective support for Libya's political roadmap. According to the US, sustained international coordination is essential to help Libyans overcome divisions and build effective governance. Additionally, the US envoy underscored the importance of safeguarding the independence of Libya's sovereign economic institutions. She highlighted that a neutral and well-functioning economic system is critical for restoring public trust and ensuring equitable resource distribution across all regions. The United States reiterated its support for a Libyan-led, UN-facilitated political process and reaffirmed its commitment to working with all stakeholders toward a peaceful, unified, and democratic Libya. Tags: libyaPolitical RoadmapSecurity CouncilUS Envoy
Libya Observer
7 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Observer
Tetteh: International Follow-up Committee meeting is crucial step to support Libyans' aspirations
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Hanna Tetteh, described the meeting of the International Follow-up Committee on the Berlin Process for Libya—held Friday in the German capital—as a crucial step to rally international support for the aspirations of the Libyan people. Tetteh extended her 'sincere thanks to Germany for hosting this critical meeting' and expressed her gratitude to 'all members of the International Follow-up Committee on Libya for convening in Berlin for the first time since the last meeting in 2021,' according to a post on her X page. She stated that the collective commitment to Libya's future is not only appreciated, but essential, adding: 'Our top priority remains clear: we must mobilize the international community to support a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process, facilitated by the United Nations.' Tetteh emphasized that the Libyan people's demands for unified and legitimate institutions, as well as peace, stability, and prosperity, are unambiguous. She considered the committee's meeting a decisive step in rallying the international support needed to realize these fundamental aspirations. Meanwhile, the members of the International Follow-up Committee on the Berlin Process expressed regret over the halt in earlier progress toward a political resolution to the Libyan crisis. They warned that this stagnation poses increasing risks to Libya's unity and stability due to the crisis of institutional legitimacy, fragmented governance structures, and the rapidly deteriorating economic and financial situation. The committee convened on Friday in Berlin at the senior official level, co-chaired by the UN Special Representative and Head of UNSMIL, and the German Special Envoy to Libya, Ambassador Christian Buck, to 'support the implementation of a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process facilitated by the United Nations that leads to a political solution to the Libyan crisis,' according to a statement published by UNSMIL on its media platforms. Tags: Hanna Tetteh Berlin conference
