Latest news with #politicalprocess
Zawya
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Statement on recent demonstrations, incendiary rhetoric and rumors against United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL)
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) affirms its uncompromising respect for the right of all citizens to demonstrate peacefully and to express their views freely. Direct engagement with the Libyan people is a cornerstone of our work, and we are always prepared to meet, engage in discussions and listen to the views of the Libyan people which includes listening to the concerns of peaceful protesters. We have had protests outside our premises on a number of occasions and we receive their petitions as has been the practice with all previous demonstrations and will continue to do so. Recently on Tuesday UNSMIL met with a group of protestors at its premises to listen to their demands and concerns, and we were able to have a mutually respectful discussion. However, UNSMIL is dismayed by statements purportedly from some Libyan political figures that appear to encourage not just demonstrations but going further to actively encourage unlawful actions against UN personnel and property. UNSMIL has always welcomed constructive criticism; however, incitement campaigns and rumors being waged against the Mission could also be an indication of an effort to undermine the advancement of any progress toward the development of a political process, which is aimed at the holding of national elections and unified institutions to achieve lasting peace and stability in Libya. We remind all parties of their obligation to maintain the peaceful character of any demonstration, and refrain from actions, and to commit to resolving differences through constructive dialogue. UNSMIL also recalls the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations and the relevant agreement concluded between the United Nations and the Libyan authorities, which guarantee the inviolability of United Nations premises. All parties are urged to respect the inviolability of United Nations premises, its personnel, and its property and assets in accordance with international law. UNSMIL remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting a Libyan-led political process for the benefit of all Libyan people and will continue to monitor all developments closely. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
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.
Asharq Al-Awsat
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
UN Mission Holds Consultations to Solve Issues Blocking Progress Toward Elections in Libya
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Saturday held consultations with key officials in Libya's Zintan and Misrata to discuss the recommendations of the Advisory Committee to resolve key contentious issues that are blocking progress toward elections. In Misrata, head of UNSMIL, Hanna Tetteh, and her deputy, Stephanie Koury, met with mayor Mahmoud Al Soqatri, municipal council officials, House of Representative and High Council of State members, in addition to civil society representatives, youth and the Military Zone Commander of the Central Zone and member of the Truce Committee, Lieutenant General Mohamed Musa. 'The price paid by Libyans across the country from continued political deadlock has been too high,' Tetteh said. 'The Advisory Committee has now finished, and their recommendations are public. It is now that the real work begins to find a way forward for an inclusive political process,' she added. The meetings in both cities are part of a series of community consultations which will take place across the country as the Mission starts a public consultation process on the Advisory Committee recommendations in Libya. The community engagements will be held online and in towns and cities across the country by the Mission to gather the views of a wide range of people, including community leaders, notables, youth, women, cultural components those with disabilities, military leaders and elected officials, UNSMIL said in a statement. 'Discussions across all meetings focused extensively on the recent clashes in Tripoli and their potential implication for stability in the western region,' Tetteh said during her visits in Misrata and Zintan. She added that participants emphasized the urgent need for political, social and economic inclusivity, and the need to implement robust ceasefire and security arrangements.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
ANDREW NEIL: In 55 years of covering politics, I've never accused any UK government of routinely telling untruths. But Starmer & Co have taken lying and gaslighting to a deplorable level
How can you tell when politicians are lying? Their lips are moving. It's a hoary old joke but it can still be guaranteed to raise a rueful chuckle among British voters increasingly disillusioned with the political process. I always thought it a tad unfair. Yes, politicians do deploy all manner of contrivances to avoid telling the truth when it's inconvenient. As someone who's spent an adult lifetime interviewing them, I can readily testify to that.
Zawya
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Advisory Committee completes its mandate and submits final report to United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL)
The Advisory Committee (AC) successfully concluded its work and submitted yesterday to the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) its final report containing options and recommendations to address contentious issues in Libya's current electoral framework. UNSMIL expresses its gratitude to the Advisory Committee for their professionalism and dedication to this important task, aimed at addressing the aspirations of the Libyan people. As a next step, UNSMIL will review and assess the recommendations outlined in the report and, in the coming days, will begin consultations with Libyan stakeholders and the wider public to reflect on the proposed options and through those consultations develop a consensus-based political roadmap to facilitate the holding of national elections and unifying institutions. In line with the principle of transparency, UNSMIL intends to publish the executive summary of the AC report. The AC is an integral part of the inclusive UNSMIL-facilitated, Libyan-led-and-owned political process aimed at resolving the current political deadlock. Established in line with paragraphs 2 and 5 of Security Council resolution 2755 (2024), the AC comprised 20 distinguished Libyan personalities (35% women) with expertise in legal, constitutional, and electoral issues, which the Mission will continue to draw on their expertise and advice as needed. UNSMIL remains committed to working with all Libyan stakeholders, with the support of the International Community, to advance the political process in a way that preserves stability while addressing the pressing problems facing the country. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
