The United Nations Security Council recently held a briefing on the situation in Libya, where Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo and other officials discussed ongoing efforts to stabilize the region. The meeting highlighted the appointment of Hanna Tetteh as the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya. Her previous experience in Sudan and South Sudan is expected to guide her approach to addressing challenges in Libya.
Stephanie Koury, who has been serving as UNSMIL’s Officer-in-Charge since April of last year, was acknowledged for her work with Libyan stakeholders to resolve the Central Bank crisis. Her consensus-based approach was praised for helping relaunch a political process.
UNSMIL's continuous efforts to break Libya's political deadlock were noted, including forming an advisory committee aimed at developing politically viable proposals with input from a broad range of Libyans. "A political solution is the path to long-term stability in Libya," stated one speaker, emphasizing that time is crucial for UN-led initiatives amid destabilizing actions by external actors.
Efforts towards safeguarding Libya’s sovereignty were discussed, focusing on east-west security integration following recent modifications to the arms embargo by the Council. A high-level U.S. delegation visited several Libyan cities earlier this month to stress maintaining ceasefire agreements and reintegration goals outlined in Council resolutions.
The need for Libyan parties to agree on a unified budget was underscored as essential for preserving economic stability and investing in development while resolving conflicts over revenue sharing that have previously led to shutdowns.
Finally, updates to designation criteria concerning individuals and entities involved in destabilizing activities through illicit petroleum exploitation were welcomed. Addressing fuel smuggling was highlighted as crucial due to its impact on transferring wealth out of Libya and contributing to corruption.
"I thank you," concluded one speaker at the briefing, reflecting appreciation for collaborative international efforts towards stabilizing Libya.