UN Urges Unified Government and Elections in Libya

The United Nations' top official in Libya, Stephanie Khoury, has expressed grave concerns regarding the rapidly deteriorating political, military, and security landscape in the oil-rich nation. Addressing the U.N. Security Council, Khoury highlighted the escalating tensions between rival government forces, which have engaged in unilateral military maneuvers and attempts to unseat key officials, including the Central Bank governor and the prime minister. The chaos in Libya, which began after the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted dictator Moammar Gadhafi, has led to a fragmented political landscape with competing administrations in the east and west. Khoury attributed the current crisis to the failure to conduct elections originally scheduled for December 2021 and the refusal of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah to relinquish power. In response, the eastern parliament appointed a rival prime minister, while military leader Khalifa Hifter maintains significant influence in the east. The U.N. official warned that these unilateral actions have exacerbated political divisions and hindered efforts to reach a negotiated solution. The situation has further escalated with the Libyan National Army's closure of the Sharara oil field, prompting the National Oil Corporation to declare force majeure. This closure has been linked to Hifter's retaliation against a Spanish company involved in the oil venture, following an arrest warrant issued for him. Khoury emphasized that the current status quo is unsustainable, predicting increased instability without renewed political dialogue. The U.N. mission in Libya is advocating for confidence-building measures to de-escalate tensions and facilitate a return to the political process.