S/PV.10017 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Libya to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Ms. Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2025/611, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the strategic review of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. I now give the floor to Ms. Tetteh. Ms. Tetteh: At the outset, I would like to thank Security Council members for the press statement issued on 3 September (SC/16161) welcoming my previous briefing (see S/PV.9984), when I presented the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL)-facilitated political road map, which aims to unify State institutions, preserve and strengthen the unity of the country and renew the legitimacy of institutions through presidential and legislative elections. The Council’s statement sends an important message for the democratic aspirations of the Libyan people. I would like to update members on the progress of the road map. Members will recall that the first milestone of the road map is the reconstitution of the full Board of Commissioners of the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) through the joint appointment by the House of Representatives and the High Council of State of vacant positions, in line with the provisions of the Libyan Political Agreement. In parallel, the amendment of the constitutional and electoral legal framework, based on considerations of the advisory committee’s recommendations, was also to be completed by the same bodies. As I mentioned in my previous briefing to the Council, both steps could be concluded within a two-month time frame if there was the political will to do so by the parties. Since the previous briefing, my colleagues and I have engaged with various national actors and international stakeholders, including representatives of the High Council of State and the House of Representatives, on the political process, and we welcome the positive commitments by various leaders and the Libyan public in support of the road map. Furthermore, the High Council of State formed a road map committee to review the advisory committee’s report and the totality of the road map and have taken a position on the issues to be addressed by the two Chambers. They have also met with the House of Representatives’ Sovereign Positions Committee twice  — on 27 September in Benghazi and on 4 October in Tripoli. The two Committees agreed to reconstitute the HNEC Board of Commissioners within 10 days on the understanding that other sovereign positions, which are outside the scope of the road map, would also be considered simultaneously. Differences have emerged, however, on the overall approach, including whether to change all seven positions of the Elections That notwithstanding, Libya cannot afford continued delays or disruptions in the completion of the road map. I call on all Libyan leaders to engage constructively in their efforts to ensure that the first steps in the road map are completed within the next month to allow for preparations towards elections. I strongly urge that the representatives of the House of Representatives and the High Council of State expedite their work and shoulder their responsibility in completing these two initial milestones of the road map. With a view to gaining the necessary political momentum, I would like to inform the Council that UNSMIL is engaging with the House of Representatives and High Council of State members and leadership to conclude an agreement on the High National Elections Commission and an implementable electoral framework. Failing this, UNSMIL must, and will, pursue another approach and seek the support of the Council to help to ensure that the road map advances in order to address the multiple challenges facing Libya. As part of the political road map and in parallel to the House of Representatives- High Council of State track, UNSMIL is steadily advancing its preparations for the structured dialogue — a platform through which broader segments of Libyan society can participate in and contribute to shaping key elements of an inclusive political process. We plan on convening the structured dialogue in November both in plenary sessions and in four thematic dialogue groups: governance; economy; security and national reconciliation; and human rights. While the process that led to the Libyan Political Agreement and the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum did cover a number of issues within these contexts, the subsequent lack of implementation of a number of the provisions in these agreements has created bottlenecks that have prevented an effective process of democratic consolidation. And without addressing the most pertinent issues together with the new challenges that have emerged, it will be difficult to achieve the key objectives of the road map. During this month of October, UNSMIL will be soliciting nominations from a wide range of Libyan institutions and entities. The objective is to achieve optimal inclusivity that is reflective of Libya’s social fabric and geographic, cultural and linguistic diversity, combined with technical expertise drawn from Libyan State institutions and civil society, to ensure a meaningful and diverse contribution to produce recommendations that will help to address immediate and longer-term governance challenges. In responding to Libyan voices, the United Nations is committed to ensuring a minimum 35 per cent representation of women. In addition, we will establish a dedicated forum, the Libyan women caucus, to enable women members to consult with the broader Libyan women’s constituency, exchange experience and receive technical support, in addition to serving as a dedicated platform to facilitate youth engagement. As we move forward in implementing successive milestones of the road map, unwavering international and regional support remains an important prerequisite to achieve success. In order to consolidate this international support for the political road map, on 25 September we convened the political working group of the Berlin process in plenary session, the first meeting after a nearly three-year hiatus. Held at the ambassadorial level in Tripoli, participants welcomed the road map and encouraged all relevant actors to engage in good faith in order to achieve a Libyan- led and Libyan-owned political solution facilitated by UNSMIL. Participants also underscored the importance of accountability for any obstruction, while stressing the key role of the international community in supporting the process. I thank these As Council members will recall from my most recent briefing, the security situation in western Libya, and especially in Tripoli, at the time was tense. The continuing standoff between the Government of National Unity and the Deterrence Apparatus for Combating Organized Crime and Terrorism was threatening the truce reached in May 2025 and fuelling public anxiety over the risk of a military escalation in the capital. I am pleased to report that tensions have eased, thanks to combined mediation efforts by both local and international partners, and I would like to commend the interventions by the Government of Türkiye in this regard. On 4 September, UNSMIL and the other co-Chairs of the security working group of the Berlin process discussed the situation with the Chief of General Staff and head of the truce committee, General Haddad, and with representatives of the President of the Presidential Council and of the security and military arrangements committee. The co-Chairs urged the Government of National Unity and the Deterrence Apparatus for Combating Organized Crime and Terrorism to achieve a peaceful resolution of outstanding issues as soon as possible, while exercising calm and restraint to prevent any further incidents of violence and harm to the civilian population. On 13 September, mediation efforts by local actors, supported by the Government of Türkiye, facilitated the implementation of the understanding between the concerned parties. These entailed the withdrawal of the Deterrence Apparatus for Combating Organized Crime and Terrorism from the civilian area of the Mitiga airport, the beginning of the withdrawal of non-Tripoli-based Government of National Unity forces from the capital, the appointments of a new head of the judicial police authority and commander of the airport security forces, and the handover of detainees to the Attorney General’s Office. We welcome this progress; however, the situation still remains fragile. A stable security environment is critical both for stability and to facilitate political progress. In order to sustain the truce and promote sustainable peace in the western region, UNSMIL is engaging the Presidential Council on a mechanism to advance security sector reform in the west. I urge the Presidential Council to expedite the establishment of this mechanism and move forward with the process. Since my most recent briefing, Libyans have continued to demonstrate their determination to choose their legitimate representatives through democratic means to enable a peaceful transfer of power at the municipal level. On 23 August, municipal council elections were peacefully held in seven municipalities in the Zawiyah area, following their earlier suspension due to an arson attack at a High National Elections Commission warehouse. I also welcome the resumption of the municipal electoral process, which had been suspended earlier in eastern and southern Libya, in an additional 16 municipalities, with polling scheduled for next Saturday. Voter registration for 12 other municipalities, including Benghazi, Janzur, Sabha, Sirte and Tajura’, is expected to commence on 20 October. As I pointed out, this is indeed a very welcome development. Economic and financial governance is still deeply dysfunctional, lacking a unified budget and the required mechanisms to control expenditures. Practices that thrive in environments of weak oversight, such as money laundering and the diversion of subsidized fuel through smuggling networks, ultimately impose hardships on the Libyan population, in particular the most vulnerable. Corruption that benefits I cannot emphasize enough the detrimental impact of parallel and competing institutions. Libya now has two concurrently functioning constitutional judicial mechanisms operating in the east and west and working at odds with each other. This has the adverse effect of creating legal uncertainty and further erodes the credibility of critical State institutions. On national reconciliation efforts, the Presidential Council, with the African Union, held two further preparatory meetings, in Tripoli on 18 September and in Zintan on 5 October. The United Nations also intensified efforts related to mass graves and enforced disappearances in Tarhunah, Murzuq, Misratah and Tawurghah, convening victims’ groups and authorities to advance truth and reparations — steps critical to helping victims deal with the loss of loved ones. Draft legislation on missing persons is under review by Libyan experts to ensure compliance with international standards before submission to the legislative bodies. In a potentially positive development, UNSMIL is in the process of verifying reports that dozens of arbitrarily detained individuals, held in Mitiga, were transferred to facilities under the authority of the Ministry of Justice. Many more, however, continue to remain arbitrarily detained across the country, many in facilities run by armed groups outside State control. Much more needs to be done to address this but this is an important first step. Council members will have received the Secretary-General’s recommendations, following the completion of the strategic review of UNSMIL (S/2025/611) mandated by the Council, notably the core recommendation to sharpen the Mission’s focus around a singular strategic objective: facilitating a credible and inclusive political process that restores national legitimacy and institutional coherence. As members have heard in my update today, we are determined to continue to work to align the Mission’s limited resources with the political process, albeit within the limits of the financial constraints within which we, and the rest of the Organization, are operating. Finally, while the current Libyan leaders and institutions have expressed their commitment to engage constructively, their actions have not sufficiently matched their words. I wish to encourage them to work with us, noting that we are ready for discussion and constructive engagement to achieve the stated objectives of the road map. Should our current engagement fail to reach sufficient consensus between the House of Representatives and the High Council of State in order to move forward with road map implementation, in addition to proceeding with a structured dialogue, UNSMIL will adopt an alternative approach and seek the support of the Council to advance the Libyan political transition to reach a meaningful conclusion. The

I thank Ms. Tetteh for her briefing. I now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary- General Tetteh for her briefing, and I welcome the participation of the representative of Libya in our meeting. I will make three points. First, the United Kingdom reiterates its full support for the efforts of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to advance the political process in Libya. The status quo is simply not sustainable. Libya’s political impasse continues to deprive its people of the democratic choice, economic opportunity and security they deserve. Lack of progress on the political track perpetuates the conditions for instability, corruption and economic mismanagement. Therefore, we joined Council members in welcoming the road map presented by Special Representative of the Secretary-General Tetteh in August, and we urge the Libyan parties to fully engage with the process to enable free, fair, transparent and inclusive elections. It is disappointing that the first milestones of the road map have not yet been met. We call on stakeholders, particularly the House of Representatives and High Council of State, to complete this work with urgency. We look forward to the initiation of a structured dialogue as set out in the road map, which will be key to maintaining momentum. Secondly, the United Kingdom welcomes the 13 September agreement between the Government of National Unity and the Special Deterrence Force as a step to reduce tensions in Tripoli. It is important that all parties implement the agreements reached. We stress that protecting civilians and infrastructure must remain the top priority for all parties. Thirdly, we look forward to the next round of local elections in 16 municipalities next week. Elections are a central part of inclusive and accountable governance. We urge Libyan parties to ensure that the elections proceed without obstruction, allowing all Libyans to exercise their democratic rights. As the Council considers the renewal of the UNSMIL mandate this month, we urge all Council members to seize this moment to send a clear and united message to Libyan actors to engage seriously, in good faith and with a spirit of compromise to deliver a sustainable political settlement.

I thank Special Representative Tetteh for her briefing and for her continued efforts to advance the Libyan-led political process. The United States was proud to join the members of the Council in welcoming her briefing on the political road map for Libya in last month’s press statement (SC/16161). Let me reiterate United States support for the road map. We encourage all relevant actors to engage fully and in good faith to advance this Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process under the facilitation of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). As we near the end of UNSMIL’s current mandate, it is important to reflect on the Mission’s core work of advancing the political process and economic prosperity. The goal is to make Libya and its regional and international partners safer, stronger and more prosperous. We are pleased to see tensions subsiding in Tripoli. We also continue to highlight the necessity of Libya’s east-west security integration to enable Libya to contribute to regional stability and security. Strong economic foundations are also vital to create a safer and more prosperous Libya. This will contribute to safety and prosperity in its region and beyond. We continue to urge members of the international community to work together to bolster independent and technocratic institutions in Libya, including the National Oil Corporation, the Central Bank of Libya and the Audit Bureau. These institutions support economic stability in Libya and promote a more stable business environment. To that end, we welcome the recent appointment of Masoud Suleman as the National Oil Corporation chairman. This is an important step to strengthen the Corporation as an institution and to bolster international investment in Libya’s energy sector. Our ultimate goal remains to see a single, unified Libyan Government, one that is fully able to assert Libya’s sovereignty, take responsibility for its own security and enable mutually beneficial commercial opportunities. This will bring increased prosperity to the Libyan people. We agree with the Secretary-General’s recent strategic review (S/2025/611) that UNSMIL’s work is vital. We also encourage the United Nations to focus existing resources on UNSMIL’s core mission, establish performance benchmarks and increase efficiency in its operations.

At the outset, let me thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Tetteh for her detailed briefing. I welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Libya in this meeting. I wish to underscore the following three aspects today. First, Greece stands fully behind efforts to progress along the political road map, which must be shielded from spoilers and foreign interference. The Council, in its press statement of early September (SC/16161), rightly welcomed the previous briefing of Ms. Tetteh, which outlined the road map to advance a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process. We echo its call on all Libyan and international stakeholders to support it as well. In this regard, Greece attaches particular importance to the unification of Libyan institutions, the full implementation of the road map and the holding of presidential and parliamentary elections in accordance with the timeline provided for in the road map. Libya must advance towards stability through this road map. We fully support the efforts of Special Representative of the Secretary-General Tetteh and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to build consensus among Libyan actors, form a unified Government and prepare the ground for credible elections. The unification of institutions is essential not only for the prosperity of the Libyan people but also for safeguarding Libya’s sovereignty, promoting border security, preventing the use of its territory for irregular migration and creating the conditions for the withdrawal of all foreign forces. We believe that these steps are crucial to ensuring Libya’s unity, stability and long-term democratic future. The High National Elections Commission also has a critical role to play in this regard. Its capacity to organize free, fair and credible elections must be strengthened accordingly. As outlined in the strategic assessment report on UNSMIL (S/2025/611), the Mission’s role is essential in overcoming the political stalemate in Libya. We Secondly, the security landscape in Libya remains precarious. We welcome the Presidential Council’s efforts to maintain the ceasefire in Tripoli, with the crucial support of Special Representative Tetteh and UNSMIL. As outlined in the strategic assessment report, the security dynamics in Libya continue to erode its unity and integrity. The need to uphold the ceasefire and prevent escalation is urgent, especially as the continued presence of foreign forces and mercenaries is exacerbating volatility. A time-bound withdrawal remains essential to restoring Libya’s sovereignty and long-term stability. Thirdly, the rule of international law and the economy in Libya are under acute strain. Credible transitional justice concerning violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law needs to be implemented along the national reconciliation process. Ensuring respect for human rights law, accountability, reforms of the criminal justice system and the dismantling of trafficking networks all constitute key priorities that must not be deferred. The control of illegal migration flows is equally critical, highlighting the importance of Libya’s stability. It constitutes a European Union priority, particularly for member States with maritime borders in the Mediterranean. Improving economic conditions is also fundamental to Libya’s long- term stability. Progress is required on unifying the national budget, strengthening oversight mechanisms and ensuring the transparent and equitable use of resources for the benefit of all Libyans. Conscious of the importance of the sanctions regime currently in place, we look forward to working with Council members on the renewal of the mandate of the European Union Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI. In conclusion, as a neighbouring country with a coastline on the opposite side of the Mediterranean, Greece remains fully committed to Libya’s sovereignty independence, unity and territorial integrity and stands ready to contribute actively to safeguarding them. We thank the staff of UNSMIL for their continued dedicated efforts towards peace and prosperity in Libya.

I would like to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Tetteh for her interesting briefing and welcome the representative of Libya to the meeting. Allow me to make three points. First, the fragile situation in Libya demonstrates the urgency of reviving the political process. We welcome the strategic review of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and its recommendations, highlighting the necessity of putting the political process at the core of the Mission’s activities. It is essential that all Libyan citizens can exercise their political rights and participate in shaping the governance of their country. Holding elections is necessary to this end; it fosters trust and accountability between the citizens and the legitimate authorities. We call on all parties to cooperate constructively to bring the country towards long-awaited legislative and presidential elections, in line with the road map presented by Special Representative Tetteh. UNSMIL’s facilitation remains crucial to the implementation of the road map in all its stages. Denmark welcomes the announcement of results from 34 municipal elections and welcomes the fact that the remaining elections are scheduled to be completed next week. Third and lastly, stabilizing Libya’s security environment is a critical precondition to advancing the political process. We welcome the announced agreement between the Government of National Unity and the Deterrence Agency for Combating Terrorism and Organized Crime concerning security arrangements in Tripoli. The agreement is a step towards restoring order in Tripoli, which has long suffered from the rivalry among armed factions. We call for the time-bound and tangible implementation of the agreement and for the peaceful resolution of outstanding issues as soon as possible. Given the fragile security context, we call on all stakeholders to fully respect the arms embargo on Libya. In this regard, it is important to recognize the critical role of the European Union Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI  — the only initiative mandated to enforce the arms embargo. In addition, Operation IRINI serves as a critical source for information-sharing, especially with the Panel of Experts on Libya. Let me reaffirm Denmark’s strong support for UNSMIL. This Mission has a vital role to play in facilitating a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process. We look forward to continuing our engagement with Special Representative Tetteh and her team and all stakeholders towards this end.

The Republic of Panama thanks the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Hanna Tetteh, for her briefing and acknowledges her invaluable leadership and insights into the political situation at the helm of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). We reaffirm our support for her Office and for her commitment to promoting political dialogue in Libya. We also welcome the presence of Libya’s Permanent Representative at this meeting. Panama is of the view that the plan put forward by the Special Representative in August, which foresees the adoption of a viable electoral framework, the unification of institutions and a structured dialogue on governance, security and reconciliation, represents a strategic road map towards a stable, legitimate and functional political environment. Panama further acknowledges the sustained efforts of the High National Electoral Commission in moving municipal elections forward in various parts of the country. This process is a significant sign of commitment to the democratic process, even against a complex backdrop of apparent divisions. Nonetheless, we note that the security situation in the country remains fragile. The attack in August on UNSMIL headquarters in Tripoli attests to the mounting risks to the Mission’s personnel. Panama deplores this attack and expresses its solidarity with the United Nations personnel deployed to Libya, while also recognizing their invaluable efforts. We underscore the need to ensure that all Mission personnel enjoy adequate security conditions, given that attacks of this kind not only endanger human lives but also threaten to obstruct efforts towards the much-awaited stabilization. Moreover, the humanitarian crisis is worrisome. In the past few weeks, tragic accidents in the Mediterranean Sea have claimed the lives of dozens of people. In particular, we note the fire on a vessel carrying Sudanese refugees, which led to at least 60 deaths, and the recent shipwreck near Tubruq. In conclusion, the situation in Libya remains highly complex. However, Panama observes with cautious optimism some signs that could open spaces for consensus- building. We urge all parties to resume without delay an inclusive, good-faith and results-oriented political dialogue, to prioritize national unity over particular interests and to commit to establishing legitimate, representative and functional institutions that allow Libya to access its resources and that are aimed at improving the situation of its citizens and stabilizing the country. Panama reaffirms its conviction that only an inclusive political process led by the Libyan people and supported by the international community will be able to pave the way for lasting peace and the well- being of the Libyan people.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council, namely, Sierra Leone, Somalia and my own country, Algeria, as well as Guyana (A3+). The A3+ thanks Special Representative Hanna Tetteh for her comprehensive briefing and expresses its support for her in the discharge of her duties in service of the Libyan people. I would also like to welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Libya, His Excellency Taher El-Sonni, in this meeting. We convene today for the fifth time this year to discuss the situation in Libya, where uncertainty persists despite emerging glimmers of hope. On the political front, the A3+ commands the significant progress made by the Presidential Council and the Government of National Unity, which culminated in a pivotal agreement that has eased tensions in the capital. This accord ensures the handover of vital facilities to State institutions and places a ban on all forms of militarization within the capital’s area. In this context, the A3+ expresses its support for the ongoing efforts to advance security sector reform and dissolve armed groups operating outside State authority. The A3+ also looks forward to the completion of the second phase of municipal elections in 16 municipalities on 18 October and the commencement of the third phase on 20 October. In a related context, we note the recent engagement by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) with various stakeholders in Libya. We underscore the imperative of placing Libyan ownership and leadership at the very heart of any political road map in order to advance the unification of all institutions and pave the way for free, fair and transparent elections in Libya. The A3+ also acknowledges the report and recommendation of Ms. Daniela Kroslak on the strategic review of UNSMIL (S/2025/611). We share the view that the Mission needs to be recalibrated in order to achieve its core mandate. The A3+ notes with concern the economic challenges confronting Libya amid a continuing absence of a unified budget and the lack of oversight mechanisms. A political solution in Libya remains elusive in the face of growing external interference. This situation is further aggravated by a significant flow of arms and fuel smuggling, with blatant disregard for the relevant Security Council resolutions. We therefore demand the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces, foreign fighters and mercenaries. Libya’s foreign sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity must be respected. As days turn into months and months stretch into years, Libya remains trapped in an endless cycle of transitions. This situation has only worn down the people of Libya, who, if they had been allowed to shape their own destiny, would have long since secured peace and stability. Nevertheless, this does not absolve the Council of its historic responsibility towards Libya and its people. The Council must acknowledge past errors by shifting from crisis management to meaningful engagement and by firmly confronting those who hinder Libya’s progress towards peace and stability.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Tetteh for her briefing, and I welcome the presence of the Permanent Representative of Libya in today’s meeting. Recently, with the support of the United Nations and international partners, Libya’s political and security situation has seen some improvement. At the same time, deep-seated structural problems remain unresolved, and achieving lasting peace and stability still faces severe challenges. This requires the international community’s continued constructive support and assistance. I would like to make three points. First, there is a need to support Libya in completing its political transition. Recently, 35 newly elected municipal councils in Libya were sworn into office, while the House of Representatives and the High Council of State reached consensus on the reconstitution of the High National Elections Commission. China welcomes the efforts of the Libyan people and hopes that all parties will seize the current positive momentum to steadily advance towards holding national elections. As the main channel for resolving the Libyan issue, the United Nations plays an irreplaceable and vital role. We note that the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has started the implementation of the political road map. Special Representative of the Secretary-General Tetteh should continue to hold broad consultations and spare no effort in building confidence and clarifying concerns to ensure that the road map is fully accepted by all parties in Libya. The Security Council is currently discussing the extension of UNSMIL’s mandate following the submission to the Council of the report of the Secretary-General’s on the strategic review of the Mission (S/2025/611). We support the extension of UNSMIL’s mandate and call on the Mission to prioritize moving the political process forward to help Libya to break the political deadlock at an early date. External forces should stop undue interference in Libya’s affairs. Secondly, there is a need to help Libya improve its security situation. Maintaining peace and stability in Libya is a crucial guarantee for the political process and the most urgent task at hand. China welcomes the efforts of the Presidential Council and the Government of National Unity to ease tensions in Tripoli and urges armed militias to cease actions that could escalate tensions. All parties in Libya should jointly uphold a lasting ceasefire, refrain from any form of violence and continue to Thirdly, there is a need to help Libya regain its momentum for development. Libya was once a country with rich resources, good development and tremendous potential on the African continent, yet it has been mired in difficulties due to conflict and division. All parties should support Libya in promoting its post- conflict reconstruction and improving its investment and development environment. They should support Libya in combating oil smuggling to ensure that its resources benefit its people, and in curbing illegal human smuggling and eradicating criminal networks. Libya’s frozen overseas assets are the common wealth of the Libyan people. The Council should safeguard the Libyan Investment Authority’s right to reinvest, investigate any misuse or erosion of the frozen funds and prevent Libya’s sovereign wealth from becoming a tool for other nations to gain undue profit. A united and stable Libya is a shared aspiration of the Libyan people and the international community. As a good friend of Libya, China stands ready to continue working with all parties to play a constructive role in helping Libya to embark on the path of lasting peace, stability, development and prosperity.

We appreciate the efforts of the United Kingdom in facilitating the timely release of the Security Council press statement on 3 September (SC/16161), which acknowledged the political road map presented by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and underlined the importance of urgent progress by all Libyan actors to deliver lasting peace, stability and security for the Libyan people. We also take note of the Secretary-General’s report on the strategic review of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) (S/2025/611), which provides valuable guidance for recalibrating the Mission and recommends measures to make it more agile and results-driven, in pursuit of its core mandate of facilitating a Libyan-led and Libyan- owned political process. Pakistan positively views the recommendations contained in the report which are aimed at strengthening the Mission’s effectiveness, efficiency and responsiveness to match the aspirations of the Libyan people. Libya is a brotherly country to Pakistan. Our peoples share deep bonds of affinity. Pakistan remains steadfast in supporting Libya’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity. Allow me to highlight five points. First, Pakistan reiterates that a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process remains the only viable pathway to lasting peace. The political road map proposed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, anchored in ending the transitional period, achieving progress on the unification of institutions and holding inclusive presidential and legislative elections, merits the Council’s full support. These steps are critical to laying the foundations of durable peace, stability and prosperity for the Libyan people. Secondly, while we heard from the Special Representative of the Secretary- General on the progress made thus far, it is critical to establish clear benchmarks and timelines to measure results and ensure that ongoing efforts translate into tangible outcomes. Sustained engagement with all political stakeholders and the wider public will also be vital for building consensus and broad-based ownership of the road map. Thirdly, we commend the High National Elections Commission for its efforts in holding the recent elections in 34 Libyan municipalities. We look forward to the early conduct of elections in the remaining municipalities, in which polling could not be held owing to security and other constraints. Lastly, on the economic track, it remains critical to Libya’s long-term stability, and we reiterate our call for an early agreement on a unified national budget. Equally important is safeguarding Libya’s frozen assets and ensuring their reinvestment for the benefit of the Libyan people, in line with resolution 2769 (2025). We understand that the Libyan Investment Authority continues to face significant challenges in engaging with the financial institutions that hold the frozen assets. At the same time, these institutions seemingly lack clarity regarding the application of the relevant provisions of the Security Council resolution. In this regard, we would suggest the issuance of an implementation assistance notice to clarify the operational modalities and address existing interpretational gaps, thereby ensuring an effective and transparent implementation of the resolution with regards to the reinvestment of the frozen assets. In conclusion, Pakistan supports all efforts aimed at helping the Libyan people realize their aspirations for peace, stability and prosperity. We remain committed to contributing constructively to the work of the Council in support of Libya, including in the forthcoming negotiations on the renewal of UNSMIL’s mandate.

First and foremost, I would like to thank the Special Representative, Ms. Hanna Tetteh, for her briefing, and I wish to reiterate France’s full support for her efforts. I also welcome the presence of the Permanent Representative of Libya. The keen interest that has been generated by municipal elections attests to the Libyan people’s aspiration to choose their future for themselves. We welcome the announced resumption of the electoral process in 16 municipalities and the organization of the last phase of local elections scheduled for 20 October. Nevertheless, we remain very concerned about the political, security and strategic instability in Libya. Let us take advantage of the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to make progress on two fronts: stability and the reunification of institutions. In this regard, I have four points: First of all, the United Nations road map sets a clear course for leading the country towards national elections. The Council must strongly support it. To address the political deadlock, we need to support the implementation of its three pillars: first, the adoption of a viable legal framework for holding elections; secondly, the unification of institutions through a new unified Government; and thirdly, a national dialogue that places Libyans at the heart of the political process. This is the way forward to enable the holding of the presidential and legislative elections for which the population has been waiting and to ensure the reunification of all institutions, including the Government. At the same time, the strategic review conducted by the Secretariat (S/2025/611) confirmed what lies at the heart of UNSMIL’s mandate, namely the relaunch of the political process. The renewal of this mandate in a few days’ time is an opportunity to reaffirm it. Secondly, in order to break out of the cycle of recurring security tensions, domestic political forces must converge with international engagement. The agreement reached between the stakeholders in the capital is a positive step forward. Despite this, the security situation remains volatile, and France calls on political stakeholders and armed groups to refrain from actions that could destabilize the country. We encourage the implementation of a lasting ceasefire and the reunification of security and military institutions. I also wish to draw the Council’s attention to foreign interventions that undermine Libya’s sovereignty. The withdrawal of foreign Thirdly, we call for the continuation of the urgent economic reforms that the country needs and that its people are demanding. Efforts to reunify economic institutions and ensure their greater transparency and accountability must be pursued so that Libya’s national resources are distributed equitably for the benefit of the population. This is a matter of equity, but we also know that it is a matter of national and regional security. Lastly, concerning human rights, Libya will be reviewed at the fiftieth session of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva. We call upon the Libyan civil authorities to step up the fight against impunity, to guarantee the exercise of civic freedoms, to continue their efforts to protect migrants and combat illegal immigration, to prevent arbitrary detentions and to work towards true equality between men and women. A solution is taking shape to allow Libya to regain its sovereignty, unity and stability. It requires the full support of the international community. It has the support of France.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary- General Hanna Tetteh for her comprehensive briefing. I also welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Libya in today’s meeting. The current status quo in Libya should not be mistaken for stability. As evidenced by the recent armed clashes in Tripoli, attacks against electoral bodies and the recovery of 61 bodies of migrants over the past two weeks, the situation remains extremely fragile, barely held together by entrenched interests and divided institutions with a weakened legitimacy. Against this backdrop, now is the time for Libyans to move beyond this fragile status quo and to take decisive steps towards sustainable peace and a functioning democracy. With this in mind, I wish to highlight the following three points. First, the momentum generated by the announcement of the political road map of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) must now be translated into tangible actions towards credible elections. As its first step, we take positive note of the recent agreement reached between the House of Representatives and the High Council of State on the appointment of the High National Elections Commission leadership, during the inaugural meeting of the Joint Sovereign Positions Committee. We now urge both parties to swiftly and unconditionally act upon their commitments so that they can move to the next stage, amending the legal and constitutional framework for elections. Meanwhile, we welcome the upcoming third round of municipal elections as an important step towards national elections and a testament to the Libyan people’s resolve to choose their own leaders. Secondly, stabilizing Libya’s fragile security environment is a critical precondition for advancing such a political process. It is encouraging that an agreement was reached in September between the Government of National Unity and the Special Deterrence Force to de-escalate tensions in Tripoli. We also welcome all measures aimed at facilitating the withdrawal of armed forces under the Presidency Council’s security and military arrangements committee. However, continued military build- ups and sporadic clashes across the country remain concerning. We call on all parties to fully respect the 2020 ceasefire agreement and refrain from unilateral actions that endanger long-suffering civilians. Renewed and coordinated efforts should also be made to unify Libya’s fragmented security and military institutions. We take note of the Secretary-General’s report on the strategic review of UNSMIL (S/2025/611). On this basis, we will engage constructively with Council members to ensure that UNSMIL is best equipped to facilitate a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned process as its mandate is renewed this month. The Republic of Korea remains steadfast in its unwavering support for UNSMIL and for the Libyan people in their pursuit of peace, stability and democratic governance.

We also thank Special Representative Tetteh for her informative briefing and welcome the representative of Libya to the meeting. I take the opportunity to reiterate Slovenia’s full support for the political road map, first announced by the Special Representative during our previous Council discussion on the situation in Libya (see S/PV.9984). We share its vision to deliver unified State institutions and national elections. The three core pillars of the road map, which includes a structured dialogue that enables broad Libyan participation, provide a clear path forward. Several attempts over the years to revive a genuine and inclusive Libyan political process to deliver on the needs and aspirations of the Libyan people have, regrettably, so far fallen short. It is our sincere hope that this time it will be different. We have full confidence that Special Representative Tetteh can deliver, but she cannot do it alone. We therefore urge all Libyan regional and international stakeholders to engage urgently, constructively and in good faith with this process. In particular, we call on national actors to put the national interest first. The revitalization of the Berlin process and its working groups is very welcome, and the Security Council can do its part by holding any spoilers to account. The security situation across Libya clearly remains fragile and unpredictable. Armed groups, regrettably, are growing further embedded in the political space. The flow of heavy weaponry into the country was evident during the flare-up of violence in Tripoli in May and continues to pose a serious threat to Libya’s civilians. We must, therefore, collectively do all we can so that the 2020 ceasefire and recent truce agreements are upheld and to actively support the implementation of the United Nations arms embargo. This is why we support the renewal of the resolution authorizing inspections of vessels on the high seas off the coast of Libya (resolution 2780 (2025)), which will be considered by the Council next month. The European Union Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI remains the only international actor currently carrying out this important work in the Mediterranean. We stand ready to engage constructively with all Council members and with the Libyan authorities to this end. The recently conducted strategic review of UNSMIL provides an opportunity to look at the significant achievements and challenges faced by the Mission and the way forward with fresh eyes. Slovenia shares the assessment that UNSMIL constitutes a critical stabilizing presence and that its role remains relevant, especially as the work on the political road map advances. In particular, we agree that the Mission’s engagement on human rights and the rule of law is central to Libya’s political process. Slovenia looks forward to further consideration of the strategic review and its clear and timely recommendations as part of the upcoming discussions on the renewal of UNSMIL’s mandate, which has our full backing.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the Russian Federation. We are grateful to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Ms. Hanna Tetteh, for her report. We welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Libya to the United Nations, Mr. Taher El-Sonni, in this meeting. The transitional period in the country has dragged on for far too long. The destruction of Libyan statehood as a result of NATO’s illegal military intervention in 2011 plunged Libya into chaos and inflicted deprivation and years of hardship on its people. Fourteen years have elapsed, and the profound systemic crisis remains unresolved to this day. The country remains fragmented, a dual power structure endures, and State institutions are divided and ineffectual. Against this backdrop, Libya’s leading political players are still unable to agree among themselves and to find the key to reuniting Libya, absent which it is hard to foresee the much-awaited normalization of all spheres of life, namely the restoration of order in the security sector, the reconstruction of the Libyan economy and the achievement of national reconciliation. On top of this, the State’s persistent instability is directly affecting the security of its neighbours and the entire region. We welcome the signs of a revival of some sorts of the political process in Libya, initiated by Ms. Tetteh. We support her efforts, aimed at overcoming domestic political stagnation and removing obstacles to nationwide elections. We note the work being done to implement the first steps of the road map that she announced. Those steps entail reforming Libya’s High National Elections Commission and updating electoral legislation. We are convinced that this preparatory phase should be completed as promptly as possible, without contrived delays. Unfortunately, time is working against us in the Libyan context. There is a serious risk of becoming bogged down in the initial stages of the settlement and never proceeding any further. That is why, in United Nations mediation, it is extremely important to have a clear picture of arrangements for implementing the United Nations plan for stabilization in Libya, the direction of travel and the timelines. It is important that inclusivity be the cornerstone of the plan, for without the active participation of all influential Libyan forces, including representatives of the former Government, in the political process, its success is not guaranteed. Against the backdrop of the generally unresolved nature of the Libyan crisis, the presence of UNSMIL — the main tool for United Nations mediation — in the country is undoubtedly a stabilizing factor. We have taken note of the Secretary- General’s report on the independent strategic review of the Mission (S/2025/611) and the recommendations for streamlining its work. We concur with the conclusion that all components of UNSMIL must work together to promote a settlement in Libya. It is unacceptable for UNSMIL’s already limited resources to be scattered across peripheral areas of work not directly related to this task of paramount importance, let alone to use them to replace the Mission’s core mandate. In addition, it is important for the United Nations to maintain a balanced presence in all regions of Libya. This is the only way to guarantee the participation of, and positive feedback from, all participants in the political process. We stand ready to engage in constructive discussions on arrangements for extending the mandate of UNSMIL, which is set to expire at the end of October. However, political normalization is not the only area with which the country needs assistance as, with every passing day, the issue of Libyan assets blocked by the relevant Council decisions becomes increasingly acute. The rationale for that decision — safeguarding those funds for the country at a very turbulent time in Libyan history — was a noble one and not a matter of punishing anyone. Unfortunately, alongside the endless extensions of the so-called “transitional periods” in the country, Libyan funds also remain in limbo. While the Security Council is discussing future parameters for unfreezing and subsequently using the funds for the benefit of the Libyan people, unscrupulous Western banks and financial institutions are already shamelessly taking advantage of this money, absent any decision whatsoever from the Council. This state of affairs is wholly unacceptable. All those who claim to be friends of Libya should prove it through their deeds and actively protect Libyan assets, including by stopping theft and fraud of this kind in their national jurisdictions. In parallel, we call upon the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya to more proactively react to the numerous applications, complaints and grievances from the Libyan side on this matter. In conclusion, we wish to reaffirm our commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Libya, a friendly country. We cherish the hope that, through concerted efforts, we will manage to hasten the establishment of a lasting peace and stability. I now resume my functions as President of the Security Council. I give the floor to the representative of Libya.

At the outset, I thank you, Mr. President for organizing this meeting, and I wish Russia every success during its presidency of the Council this month. We also thank Ms. Hanna Tetteh for her briefing. We align ourselves with the statement delivered by our brother, Ambassador Amar Bendjama on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council plus Guyana. We have listened carefully to the statements, however brief, delivered by Council members today. There appears to be consensus on three points overall, but that indicates that nothing new was discussed today. We also listened to the remarks by the Special Representative, and it is clear that there is nothing new for us to comment on or to discuss. We are all looking forward to progress on the announced United Nations road map and to the start of an effective political process. Whatever the names, plans or initiatives may be, our citizens hope for tangible results, a reality that can give hope of ending the vicious cycle that the country has endured for years. Therefore, these may well be our briefest remarks to date, but today we will not repeat what we have said on many previous occasions and what has become common knowledge. What we will stress is the need for all parties, whether internal or external, to deal with the Libyan crisis responsibly and to support earnest On Ms. Tetteh’s end, it is important for her United Nations mediation efforts to lead to clear deliverables and a defined time frame and to ensure that all political actors are represented at the table for dialogue without any exclusion. At that point, let the Libyans themselves discover who the real spoiler is and who it is that is championing their hopes and aspirations to pave the way for the holding of general elections as soon as possible, based on just laws that can be implemented, and for the results to be respected, in order to take the first step towards democracy and freedom and to end flagrant foreign interference in our internal affairs. I have observed many Council members attempt to express what Libyans want. Allow me to convey the voice of Libyan citizens, without florid language and in very simple terms. Libyan citizens want the transitional periods and the division to end. They want to choose those who represent them, free from dictatorship and from individualist hegemony. Libyan citizens want a strong and unified civil State with a permanent Constitution, peaceful transfer of power and mechanisms to support and strengthen the role of civil society, in full respect of national legislation. Libyan citizens want economic recovery and basic services. They want and deserve to live a life with dignity and to benefit from their country’s wealth, unhindered by corruption, smuggling and favouritism. They want economic partnership, not the manipulation of their assets, resources, money and investments by certain States. Libyan citizens want safety and security, free from domination by armed groups and militias. Libyan citizens want a professional army whose allegiance is to the nation, an army that protects them and their sovereignty, and they want an end to all forms of foreign presence on their territory. Libyan citizens want the perpetrators of crimes to be held accountable and for impunity to end. They look forward to an inclusive national reconciliation, to the truth being revealed, wrongs acknowledged and reparations paid for all previous periods since 2011 to the present. Libyan citizens want the international unjust economic sanctions to be lifted for those who no longer qualify to be on the sanctions lists. They want those who have been forcibly detained for years, both domestically and abroad, to be released; for the fate of the missing to be determined; and for those who emigrated to return to the country. That is what Libyan citizens want. What guarantees are there that that can be achieved? What guarantees are there that the United Nations plan and international initiatives can deliver on those demands? It is a legitimate question that deserves a response from the Council. Even if the task proves difficult or impossible, after all these years, let the Libyan people take matters into their own hands and decide their fate for themselves. Free the Libyan people from the Council’s tyranny and from international trusteeship, which has become confused about its role, amid the divisions that are plain for all to see. We all believe in the Libyan people and in their awareness. Libya is not isolated from the world; it is open to everyone and seeks to engage with everyone on equal footing and in a context of sovereignty. Make Libya a priority of global peace initiatives such as the ones that we are currently seeing in the region and elsewhere, so that the country is able to enjoy stability and prosperity, that competition can be free from conflict and destruction and that efforts can be directed towards construction and reconstruction.

There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion of the subject.