Source: UN News: Tuesday, 28 April 2026 00:01 AM
Some parties in Libya continue to be indifferent to public expectations regarding participation in the political process or leadership based on political legitimacy. UN Security Council Special Representative Hanna Tetteh said this while addressing the Security Council meeting on Wednesday to discuss the situation in Libya. The UN Special Representative, while briefing member states on the situation in Libya, said that the political class is lagging behind in presenting a roadmap to take the country towards national elections and unified institutions. Since the fall of former Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the country has been torn between two rival administrative systems. The capital Tripoli is controlled by the internationally recognized Government of National Consensus, and Benghazi in the east is controlled by military commander Khalifa Haftar. Key RoadmapUN Support Mission for Libya (UNSMIL)UNSMIL) head Hannah Tate said that we are not yet where we need to be to make progress on this roadmap. Tweet URL
According to him, there are risks in both sitting idle or dragging their feet in implementing this roadmap and in our view it is important to understand this. According to Hanna Tetteh, this roadmap was presented in the Security Council in August 2025. The current discussions focus on four issues: security, governance, economy, national reconciliation and human rights. Under this, public opinion is being sought from across the country, and a final report will be prepared by June, which will then be presented to Libyan leaders and the general public. “We hope that these recommendations can help us shape a national vision and develop understanding on key policy reforms that are necessary to strengthen national institutions and create an environment for the holding of peaceful national elections.” Economic distress, poverty Special Representative Hanna Tetteh said that the economic situation in Libya is deteriorating rapidly. The currency is under pressure, prices are rising, fuel is scarce, public spending is transparent and uncontrolled, while poverty is on the rise. He said current trends show that the current economic model and the practices that support it can no longer continue. Recently, a UN group of experts has assessed how state power can be limited in governance through integrated, rules-based institutions. Erosion has occurred. He said that in Libya, national wealth is being channeled into a distorted political economy, which encourages unaccountable spending and weaponises oil revenues. According to the UN Mission Chief, the lack of consensus on national priorities weakens fiscal discipline and makes it difficult to implement projects, programs and initiatives. Security situationThe Special Representative said that the security situation remains poor, although no violations have been recorded since the ceasefire in 2020. There have been isolated incidents in some border areas and they highlight the importance of integrated security and political institutions. At the same time, the situation in coastal communities remains fragile and armed groups and criminal networks are attempting to control areas, which is also fueling illegal activities. Clashes were reported in several places last month. She expressed concern over incidents of arbitrary detention, intimidation and retaliatory actions by security forces against so-called political opponents. Hanna Tetteh said that the roadmap for Libya was prepared so that the country could overcome the rifts that have developed in the country and agree on a dialogue-based governance system, so that we can move towards unified institutions. She said that the UN The Mission will continue its efforts to achieve the goals of this Roadmap and the support of the Security Council will be essential in this process.