Latest news with #StephanieKoury
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
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Libya Observer
Dutch ambassador, UN official discuss Libya's path to elections
The Dutch Ambassador to Libya, Joost Klarenbeek, held talks with UN Deputy Special Representative Stephanie Koury to explore ways to support a Libyan-led political process rooted in international humanitarian law and human rights. The meeting focused on key priorities including security sector reform, justice for detainees, and strengthening civil society. Ambassador Klarenbeek reiterated the Netherlands' full support for the UN mission's push toward credible and transparent elections in Libya. News Tagged: Dutch Ambassador to Libya Joost Klarenbeek UNSMIL
Libyan Express
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Libyan Express
UN seeks Libya consensus in Misurata visit
BY Libyan Express May 23, 2025 - 15:54 Updated: May 23, 2025 - 15:55 UN reviews Libya options in Misurata UN Special Representative Hanna Tetteh and her Deputy for Political Affairs Stephanie Koury travelled to Misurata on Thursday as part of ongoing consultations regarding recommendations from the UN Advisory Committee on Libya's political future. The delegation met with Mayor Mahmoud Al-Suqatri, municipal council members, civil society representatives, youth leaders, and Major General Mohammed Musa, Commander of the Central Military Zone. During the discussions, participants reviewed the Advisory Committee's proposed options for advancing Libya's political process. Local leaders stressed the importance of incorporating lessons from previous failed agreements and establishing robust safeguards to ensure the implementation of any future political deal, backed by Security Council support. Meeting participants expressed deep concern about Libya's deteriorating security and political situation, citing recent armed clashes in the capital Tripoli, the ongoing fragmentation of state institutions, widespread corruption, weapons proliferation, and the indefinite postponement of national elections as evidence of the country's continued instability. In a separate session, youth representatives discussed barriers preventing their meaningful participation in local and national decision-making processes, particularly in the political arena. Tetteh reaffirmed the UN Mission's dedication to consulting with Libyans on developing a roadmap towards national elections and establishing a unified government. She emphasised that Libyan voices must remain central to building 'a strong, unified, and sovereign state.' The Special Representative also praised Misurata's tribal elders and community leaders for their role in helping to defuse tensions during recent violence in Tripoli, reiterating the UN's commitment to supporting efforts to maintain the current ceasefire. Libya has been divided between rival governments since 2014, with repeated attempts at political reconciliation failing to produce lasting stability or the long-promised national elections. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
Zawya
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) Tetteh marks the halfway point of this year's Ra'idat programme with presentations from young women in Tripoli
To mark the halfway point of this year's Ra'idat programme, and the participant's completion of the UK Government's Campaigning Excellence e-learning platform, SRSG Hanna S. Tetteh joined participants to talk about the importance of women's leadership. Alongside the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General, Stephanie Koury and the Deputy British Ambassador, Thomas Phipps, the SRSG received presentations from the young women on the programme showcasing their work and handed out certificates for completing the e-learning training. 'Everyone has an important role to play in the future of Libya. But women, and especially young women, can lead the change be that driving force for difference in their communities,' said SRSG Tetteh adding that it was important that the young women on the programme share the skills they have learnt with others in their communities. During the day, the thirty-five young women worked in groups to develop communication campaigns on tackling healthcare, education and entrepreneurship issues, utilising the skills taught in the e-learning platform. They researched their subjects and presented their targeted campaign to the SRSG, DSRSG and Deputy Ambassador, explaining their strategy and implementation plans in a five-minute presentation. 'It's such a privilege to see you put the skills you have learned and strengthened so far during this programme into practise,' said Deputy Ambassador Phipps. 'The skills you have developed can help you to be more effective in achieving your own personal goals. But they will also help you to shape Libya's future.' The UN in Libya's Ra'idat training programme for young women takes thirty-five young women a year from across Libya and cultural components. Some 750 applications were received for the 2025 programme which will graduate in August. Applications for the 2026 programme will open in July 2025. This year's programme has been supported by the United Kingdom, Italy and Germany as well as the four UN partners, UNSMIL, UNICEF, UN Women and UNDP. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
Asharq Al-Awsat
07-04-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Libya Devalues Currency for First Time in Four Years
Libya's central bank announced a 13.3% devaluation of the country's dinar currency on Sunday, setting the exchange rate at 5.5677 to the US dollar effective immediately. This is the first official devaluation since the bank agreed to a devalued exchange rate of 4.48 dinars to the dollar in 2020. The parallel market exchange rate is currently at 7.20 dinars to the dollar. In September last year, the dinar slid against the US dollar in the black market due to a crisis over control of the central bank that slashed oil output and exports. The crisis was resolved later in September following an agreement signed by representatives of Libya's rival eastern and western legislative bodies. The agreement, facilitated by the United Nations, paved the way for the appointment of a new central bank governor. In November, the eastern-based parliament speaker reduced the tax on foreign currency purchases to 15% from 20%. The tax is added to the rate when people buy foreign currencies from commercial banks. Libya has been plagued by instability since a NATO-backed uprising in 2011, leading to a split in 2014 between eastern and western factions, each governed by rival administrations. The spending of the two governments in 2024 totaled 224 billion dinars ($46 billion), including 42 billion dinars for crude-for-fuel swaps, the central bank said in a statement on Sunday. Public debt stood at 270 billion dinars, it said, projecting that it could exceed 330 billion dinars by the end of 2025 due to the lack of a unified budget. In December, Stephanie Koury, deputy head of the UN mission to Libya, urged the country's decision-makers to "urgently agree on a framework for spending in 2025 with agreed limits and oversight".
