United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for the immediate establishment of a national roadmap for Libya that includes holding free and fair elections.
He warned that the absence of a comprehensive political settlement “leaves the country vulnerable to further divisions and security tensions.”
In an official report submitted to the Security Council, Guterres offered a worrying assessment of the situation, 14 years after the establishment of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). He stated that “persistent divisions, the multiplicity of power centers, and the proliferation of heavy weapons continue to undermine the unity of the country and the integrity of its institutions.”
The Secretary-General’s report comes amid a persistent institutional impasse between rival authorities in Tripoli and Benghazi, fueling growing calls for an electoral transition to end more than a decade of instability.
Despite the challenges, the UN chief praised UNSMIL’s role in managing political crises and reducing local violence. He strongly encouraged the mission to “refocus its efforts on a sustainable political process,” stressing the need for inclusive dialogue and the ultimate unification of civilian and military institutions.
To achieve these strategic priorities, Guterres also recommended increasing the financial and logistical resources allocated to UNSMIL. He stressed that “The support of the international community remains essential to create the conditions for a return to stability and democratic legitimacy.”
MK/fss/abj/APA