Persistent political and institutional fragmentation, severe economic instability, and fragile security conditions continue to compromise efforts to hold nationwide elections in Libya, the United Nations envoy warned the Security Council in New York.
Presenting a briefing on October 14, 2026, Hanna S. Tetteh, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), highlighted that despite an August consensus designed to restart the political process, deep-seated rivalries threaten implementation. The UN-facilitated agreement—signed in Tripoli on August 30—envisaged restructuring the High National Elections Commission, settling constitutional disputes, and establishing a unified executive authority to oversee parliamentary and presidential polls within 24 months.
While key factions including the Government of National Unity, the Libyan National Army, and the House of Representatives endorsed the roadmap, the High Council of State formally rejected it on October 5, citing procedural violations and procedural infringement on institutional prerogatives. Expressing additional concern over judicial fragmentation, Tetteh urged Libyan political leaders to abandon obstructionist tactics and warned that UNSMIL is exploring the creation of a broader national dialogue mechanism. The ongoing deadlock continues to severely impact the domestic economy, where inflation exceeds 14 percent, food costs remain volatile, and extensive fuel smuggling causes state revenue losses estimated between $2.4 billion and $4.4 billion annually.
Despite persistent security challenges, human rights violations, and concern over recent executions in Benghazi, the UN noted modest military cooperation between eastern and western forces. Defense officials from both regions have initiated discussions regarding the integration of maritime, air, and air-defense domains, alongside plans to establish joint border coordination centers in Tripoli and Benghazi. Tetteh concluded by calling on the international community to maintain pressure on political spoilers and back structured reforms to enable institutional reunification and peaceful democratic elections.
TE/Sf/lb/abj/APA