Security Council Urges Swift Appointment of Successor to Special Representative for Libya, Emphasizing Inclusivity and Peacebuilding

The United Nations Security Council has expressed its gratitude to Abdoulaye Bathily, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), following his resignation. In a press statement issued by Council President Pedro Comissário Afonso of Mozambique, the Security Council members called on the Secretary-General to appoint a successor as soon as possible.

The Security Council reaffirmed its commitment to an inclusive, Libyan-led, and Libyan-owned political process, facilitated by the United Nations. This process will be based on relevant Security Council resolutions, the Libyan Political Agreement, and the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum Roadmap. It will also build on the updated electoral laws agreed upon by the 6+6 Committee, aiming to deliver elections and sustainable peace in Libya.

Emphasizing the need for cooperation and compromise, the Security Council urged Libyan institutional stakeholders to engage fully and without preconditions in the political process. The international community was also called upon to provide full support in this regard.

Furthermore, the Security Council reiterated its call for the prompt withdrawal of all foreign forces, foreign fighters, and mercenaries from Libya, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and relevant Security Council resolutions.

In recognizing the importance of national reconciliation, the Security Council encouraged an inclusive process grounded in transitional justice and accountability. It urged all actors in Libya, as well as neighboring countries and the African Union, to support this process with the assistance of the United Nations.

Lastly, the Security Council stressed the significance of women’s participation, as well as the inclusion of youth and civil society representatives, in all decision-making processes related to democratic transition and reconciliation efforts. The Council also highlighted the need to provide a safe environment for civil society organizations to work freely and protect them from threats and reprisals.

In other news, the UN Staff Union Standing Committee on the Security and Independence of the International Civil Service reported that at least 11 United Nations personnel, including seven military and four civilians, were deliberately attacked and killed in 2023. The Committee emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and security of UN personnel worldwide.

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