The United Nations Support Mission for Libya is a special political mission established in 2011 by the UN Security Council in its Resolution 2009 (September 2011) at the request of the Libyan authorities following six months of armed conflict to support the country's new transitional authorities in their post-conflict efforts. All UN activities for the Libyan people are guided by the principle of national ownership.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), under the leadership of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), supported by a Deputy SRSG, was mandated for an initial period of three months and extended for another three months thereafter. The Security Council, in its Resolution 2022 (December 2011), expanded the Mission’s mandate. The mandate was further modified when the Security Council extended the Mission for 12 more months in Resolution 2040 (12 March 2012). On 14 March 2014, Resolution 2144 extended the mandate for an additional 12 months. On 5 March 2015, Resolution 2208 extended the mandate for an additional month. On 27 March 2015, the Security Council renewed the Mission's mandate for a further six months in Resolution 2213. On 10 September 2015, Resolution 2238 renewed the Mission's mandate for a further six months. On 15 March 2016, Resolution 2273 renewed the Mission's mandate for three months. On 13 June 2016, Resolution 2291 renewed the Mission's mandate until December of that year, a further six months. On 13 December 2016, Resolution 2323, renewed the Mission's mandate until 15 September 2017. On 14 September 2017, Resolution 2376 renewed the Mission's mandate for a further 12 months. On 13 September 2018, Resolution 2434 again renewed the Mission's mandate for a further 12 months. On 12 September 2019, Resolution 2486 renewed the Mission's mandate for a further 12 months. On 15 September 2020, Resolution 2542 was adopted and renewed the Mission's mandate for a further 12 months. On 15 September 2021 the Security Council, in Resolution 2595, renewed the Mission's mandate until the 31 September 2021. On 31 September 2021, Resolution 2599, renewed the Mission's mandate until 31 January 2022. On 31 January 2022, the Mission's mandate was renewed until 30 April 2022 in Resolution 2619. On 29 April 2022, Resolution 2629 renewed the Mission's mandate until 31 July 2022. On 28 July 2022, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2647 which renewed the mandate of the Mission until 31 October 2022, as set out in Resolution 2542 (2020) and paragraph 16 of Resolution 2570 (2021). The Mission was renewed once again on 28 October 2022 through Resolution 2656 until 31 October 2023.

The Mission is overseen by the United Nations’ Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, which provides guidance and operational assistance. UNSMIL has its headquarters in the Libyan capital of Tripoli, with offices in Benghazi and Sebha.

UNSMIL has substantive staff in political affairs, human rights, transitional justice, mine action, demobilization, development, women empowerment, public information and communication, as well as support services staff. 

For more details see UNSMIL Mandate