The Security Council today broadly agreed on the steps towards Libya's peace and stability - including elections, institutional reunification, security sector reform and economic transparency - but emphasized that the real test will be effective implementation, sustained political will and a decisive break from the status quo.
Since the 2011 uprising that ended Muammar Gadhafi's rule, efforts to establish unified governance in Libya have been hindered by institutional fragmentation and rival authorities. While the 2020 ceasefire reduced large-scale fighting, political divisions persist. Mediation through the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) continues to pursue a constitutional basis and electoral framework under the Political Road Map .
"We are not where we would like to be in terms of progress on the road map," said Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and Head of UNSMIL, noting that some Libyan actors continue to sidestep public expectations for democratic participation, while parallel structures outside existing agreements undermine institutional reunification.
"Conducting business as usual under the current circumstances inadvertently legitimizes the status quo rather than incentivizing serious negotiations and encouraging the necessary compromises to reunify the country," she said, warning against the national and regional risks of continued inaction.
She highlighted momentum in the Structured Dialogue, held online during Ramadan and in person this month. Progress across the four tracks - security, governance, economy, and national reconciliation and human rights - has led to draft recommendations, with a plenary planned this month and a final report due by early June.
While UNSMIL continues to engage Libyan institutions to unblock the political impasse, the Special Representative cautioned that absent progress, she will return to the Council in June with proposals grounded in existing agreements.
She also warned of Libya's worsening economic conditions, fragile security, judicial divisions and human rights violations - all compounded by humanitarian pressures linked to the Sudan conflict.
Libya stands at a critical juncture. "Allowing status quo actors to evade their responsibilities will only undermine efforts to preserve Libya's unity and wealth and delay the path to sustained peace, stability and development," she said.
Competing 'Solutions' Leave Libyans, International Community in 'Crisis of Trust'
In turn, Libya's representative said that over the last 15 years, many initiatives had failed to overcome Tripoli's political impasse because they did not address "the real problem": The "contraction" of international solutions and "marginalization of Libyan solutions".
This "vicious cycle" has created "a crisis of trust between the Libyan people and the international community", he said. "We have started losing hope," - a situation that could lead to "internal strife, a conflict or even a new proxy war".
His counterpart from the Russian Federation concurred that external visions must be seen by the Libyan Government "as nothing other than recommendations".
Several Council members highlighted progress since the Council's previous briefing on Libya.
Among them was the representative of the United States, who noted that her country is facilitating engagement between eastern and western Libyan stakeholders to advance progress towards economic and military integration in support of Libyan leaders and UNSMIL's road map. These efforts include the multinational special operations exercise FLINTLOCK, which began last week. Libya's leadership in hosting a portion of the exercise marks "a historic milestone", she said.
The FINTLOCK exercise includes France, said that country's delegate, who affirmed that "the reunification of Libyan military and security forces will allow the country to recover its stability and to stop the cycle of recurrent tensions". He stressed the urgent need for the withdrawal of all foreign fighters, mercenaries and foreign forces, in accordance with the Council-endorsed 2021 Libyan plan to guarantee Libya's full sovereignty.
Speakers Welcome Advances in Structured Dialogue, Denounce 'Deliberate' Attempts to Preserve Status Quo
The debate also reflected shared concern that the political process remains stalled due to persistent fragmentation and rival authorities. Panama's representative warned that "the lack of consensus continues to weaken public trust and set back the establishment of the necessary legislative framework towards elections". His counterpart from Latvia was particularly direct, arguing that "meaningful progress is hindered by parties who deliberately delay and obstruct the process to protect their interests and preserve the status quo".
There was also strong and broad backing for the UN-facilitated political road map as the primary vehicle for progress. Denmark's representative welcomed the Structured Dialogue as an inclusive platform - highlighting the significant participation of women - but stressed that dialogue must now produce results. Pakistan's delegate underlined that a Libyan-led process supported by UN mediation remains the only viable path to peace. He encouraged continued engagement from all stakeholders.
The representative of Bahrain, Council President for April, speaking in his national capacity, commended UN efforts to accelerate implementation of the road map and electoral preparations. Sustained international support must translate into tangible outcomes rather than prolonged process, he argued.
Elections and institutional reunification were repeatedly identified as the essential milestones. "The recent outbreak of regional turmoil is a reminder that the unification of State institutions and the attainment of comprehensive and sustainable peace in Libya today is imperative," said the diplomat from Greece, emphasizing the urgency of holding free, fair, inclusive and credible presidential and parliamentary elections.
China's delegate was among those who highlighted the importance of supporting Libya's national development and reconstruction. While noting that oil production has remained stable, he warned that institutional fragmentation and other constraints have widened infrastructure deficits and increased economic vulnerability.
Calls to Respect Libyan Institutions, Human Rights of Migrants, Refugees
Several speakers recalled the Council's recent decision to renew the mandate of the Panel of Experts tasked with monitoring the implementation of sanctions on Libya, as well as the authorization for Member States to take measures against the illicit export of petroleum from the country.
The representative of the United Kingdom said strengthened measures to prevent oil smuggling, alongside continued protections for frozen assets, will help ensure that Libya's wealth is preserved for the long-term benefit of the Libyan people. "We call on all Libyan stakeholders to respect the independence of Libya's institutions, including the National Oil Corporation and Central Bank of Libya, to ensure they can work without interference or politicization."
Colombia's delegate expressed deep concern over the humanitarian situation, which continues to deteriorate due to the regional spillover from the conflict in Sudan and serious human rights violations affecting migrants and refugees. Ensuring unimpeded humanitarian access, dismantling smuggling and trafficking networks, and guaranteeing accountability for violations must remain urgent priorities.
The representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, speaking also for Liberia and Somalia, acknowledged the scale of the remaining challenges, but struck a cautiously hopeful note: "The road ahead is fraught with obstacles […] Nevertheless, through sustained engagement, cooperation and a shared commitment to peace, a stable and inclusive future for Libya remains within reach."
