The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Libya, Hanna Tetteh, emphasized that the support of regional and international partners is crucial for the success of any political agreement. Tetteh said that she is seeking to explore options to enhance the effectiveness and inclusivity of existing coordination mechanisms at both the regional and international levels, in order to build the necessary support to advance the political process.
This came during Tetteh’s meeting with the permanent representatives to the United Nations from Libya, China, Egypt, France, Italy, Qatar, Russia, Turkey, the UAE, the United Kingdom, the United States, and ambassadors from the African Group—which includes Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and Ghana—on the sidelines of her briefing to the Security Council in New York last Thursday, according to a statement issued by the UN Mission.
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said that these meetings are part of efforts to mobilize international support for the political process in Libya. Tetteh called on international partners to support both the political process and the mandate of the UNSMIL.
During her meetings, Tetteh briefed the permanent representatives on the work of the Advisory Committee, a group of technical experts tasked with proposing solutions to contentious points in Libya’s electoral laws. The committee is expected to conclude its work by the end of this month unless unforeseen obstacles arise.
Tetteh stressed the need to restore institutional legitimacy, the importance of holding municipal and national elections, and the necessity of reaching compromises among Libyan parties. The discussions also addressed public financial management and anti-corruption efforts in Libya. Tetteh called for preserving the independence of oversight institutions and for the adoption of a unified national budget.
Tetteh also provided a separate briefing to the ambassadors of the African Group, known as “A3+1” (Algeria, Ghana, Somalia, and Sierra Leone), on the political, economic, and humanitarian situation in Libya, as well as UNSMIL's ongoing efforts.
The ambassadors expressed concern about sanctions, institutional division, the tension between political reality and reform, arbitrary detentions, shrinking civic space, preparations for municipal elections, and the unification of the budget. The discussions also touched on oil smuggling, corruption, foreign interference, and opportunities for regional cooperation in security sector reform.
Tetteh stressed the need for a unified approach by international stakeholders, affirming that solutions must be “Libyan-owned and Libyan-led.” She warned against foreign interference and called for respect for Libya’s sovereignty.
"I intend to maintain an inclusive approach that brings all parties together, to ensure that any outcome is owned by Libyans and enjoys broad support within Libya.” Tetteh said and added: “Given the increasingly recurring crises, I intend to move quickly, but cautiously, to maintain stability.”
