Honorable Deputy of the Presidential Council Abdallah Al-Lafi, 
Distinguished Members of the House of Representatives and the High Council of State, 
Esteemed Ambassadors and Representatives of Diplomatic Missions in Libya, 
Ladies and Gentlemen, 

I would like to welcome you to the headquarters of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. We are pleased to receive you today to witness this significant event of signing the agreement between the House of Representatives and the High Council of State on   the Central Bank of Libya. 

For five weeks, we have all followed with deep concerns how the dispute over the CBL leadership has seriously threatened Libya’s financial and economic stability, fragile security and livelihood of all Libyans. 

Although the consultations took time, the outcome today is both positive and promising. It highlights the ability of the Libyan parties to overcome their many challenges when goodwill prevails, and the interests of Libya and its citizens are prioritised above all else. 

In line with Article 15, the agreement provides for consultations by the High Council of State and appointment of the Governor and Deputy Governor by the House of Representatives within one week from the signing of the Agreement, and a Board of Directors to be appointed within 2 weeks from the appointment of the Governor. The Agreement also includes provisions on good governance, transparency, and independence in relation to the Central Bank. 

In this context, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to both the House of Representatives and the High Council of State for their cooperation. I would like to personally thank Messrs. Abdul Hadi Al-Sghayer and Abdul Jalil Al-Shawesh for their dedication and commitment and the Speaker of the House Agila Salah, and High Council of State leadership for their support. They maintained communication with all stakeholders, which made the consultations inclusive and ultimately led to an agreement that has been widely welcomed. I also commend the Presidential Council – President Menfi and Deputies Al-Koni and Al-Lafi for their support and constructive spirit throughout these discussions and its openness and support for a consensual solution.  I would also like to thank the many Libyans in the East, West and South for the support.  

Throughout the consultations, UNSMIL emphasized the importance of a solution rooted in a mutually agreed political framework - namely the Libyan Political Agreement of 2015 and Libyan laws - one that focuses on the procedures, principles, and criteria that ensure the independence, professionalism, good governance, and neutrality of the Central Bank of Libya.  

At no point did we endorse or oppose any candidate for CBL leadership positions.  This is for Libyans to decide. 

This crisis has shown the imperative for all parties to refrain from unilateral decisions. Such decisions not only escalate tensions, but they also deepen the institutional divisions. As we gather today to witness the signing of an agreement aimed at ending this crisis, I, along with the international community, look forward to the reversal and suspension of all unilateral decisions whose harmful impacts persist or may arise in the future.  

I also want to emphasize the urgent need to end the closure of oil fields and disruption of oil production and export. I appreciate the commitment made by the authorities in the East to lift the closure.  It is essential to channel the revenue from this vital resource through the appropriate institutional framework to the Central Bank of Libya. Additionally, Libyan institutions must focus on reaching an agreement on a unified budget that ensures the equitable, transparent and accountable distribution of Libya’s wealth for the benefit of all Libyans and future generations. Furthermore, it is crucial that all parties safeguard Libya's resources and sovereign institutions, keeping them shielded from political conflict and partisan interests. 

Despite the complex challenges associated with this crisis, this agreement could mark a new beginning for future agreements that the Libyan people aspire to and that Libya urgently requires. I call upon all parties to build on this experience, constructively engage and collaborate to address outstanding issues through inclusive and meaningful dialogue, paving the way for the unification of institutions and the restoration of their legitimacy. This can only be achieved through a broad political consensus leading to credible, inclusive and transparent general elections. 

Finally, I want to thank the international community for their support to UNSMIL and the Libyans during this time.. I would also like to acknowledge the Mission's team's commitment in facilitating the negotiations. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya stands ready to work alongside the Libyan people, with the support of the Libya’s partners, to bring an end to the persistent political crisis and achieve the peace, stability, and prosperity that Libya needs and deserves. 

Thank you. I now invite Messrs. Abdul Hadi Al-Sghayer and Abdul Jalil Al-Shawesh to sign the Agreement. (Officially signed document in Arabic)
 

- English translation here: https://unsmil.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/20240926-final_agreeme...