The United Nations has announced a new initiative aimed at overcoming a three-year deadlock in Libya and steering the oil-rich North African nation towards a national election. The U.N. political mission in Libya, known as UNSMIL, plans to establish an advisory committee as the first step in this process.
The advisory committee will consist of experts and respected personalities representing various Libyan political forces, social, cultural, and geographical components. Its primary goal is to develop options to resolve outstanding electoral issues and create a road map for holding an election.
It is important to note that the committee will not have decision-making powers but will generate options for follow-up actions by Libyan decision-makers.
Libya has been in turmoil since the NATO-backed uprising that led to the downfall and death of longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. The country has since been divided, with rival administrations in the east and west supported by rogue militias and foreign governments.
The current political crisis in Libya stems from the failure to hold an election on December 24, 2021, and the refusal of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah to step down. This has led to further complications, with a rival prime minister being appointed by the parliament based in the east.
The U.N. official emphasized that the polarization and unresolved electoral issues pose a significant threat to Libya's national unity and territorial integrity. The ongoing competition between armed groups for control of territory and access to resources further exacerbates the instability in the country.
The new initiative aims to promote stability, encourage Libyan ownership of the process, strengthen Libyan institutions, and ensure the inclusivity of various political forces and cultural groups in the decision-making process.
The U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. highlighted the need for a new political process in Libya to prevent deeper divisions, erosion of sovereignty, and a return to violence. She called on the international community to support the U.N.-led efforts to address the political deadlock in Libya.
