TRIPOLI – Members of the Security Track of the Structured Dialogue convened online on Thursday to discuss recommendations to advance security sector reform, strengthen national stability, and create conditions for sustainable peace and credible elections in Libya.
Opening the session, Mr. Mosaab Al Abid, Member of the House of Representatives, presented the Security Track’s vision, composition, and methodology. He noted that the Track seeks to contribute to a national vision for security and stability, support the electoral process, prevent conflict, and preserve the ceasefire. He also underscored the importance of developing a unified national security and military doctrine aligned with the rule of law and state-building efforts.
The Security Track brought together representatives from across Libya, including military, security, political, legal, community, and civil society actors, with active participation from women, youth, and persons with disabilities. It adopted a phased approach, moving from assessments and immediate security challenges to longer-term institutional and strategic issues through four interconnected pillars: electoral security; conflict prevention and ceasefire maintenance; security sector governance; and the unification of military and security institutions.
Presenting recommendations on electoral security, Security Track member Dr. Jaziah Issa stressed that successful elections require political consensus, a clear legal framework, unified security arrangements, and guarantees that protect electoral integrity and ensure acceptance of results. Recommendations focused on strengthening coordination with the High National Elections Commission, enhancing election security oversight, and supporting the participation of civil society, women, and youth.
On conflict prevention and maintaining the ceasefire, Security Track member Ms. Salha Al-Sharif underscored that Libya’s recurrent conflicts stem from accumulated political, security, institutional, and societal challenges. She presented recommendations to support unified governmental, security, and military institutions; strengthen the role of the Joint Military Commission (5+5); develop national mediation and early warning mechanisms; support local mediation initiatives; and advance reintegration programmes for armed groups and affected communities.
Presenting recommendations on security sector governance, Security Track member Major General Hossam Kaabar emphasized that Libya’s security challenges extend beyond operational issues and include legal, institutional, and oversight deficiencies. He highlighted recommendations to establish a comprehensive national governance framework, restructure and unify security institutions, strengthen legislative oversight and accountability mechanisms, and build institutional capacity.
Discussions on the unification of military and security institutions emphasized that continued fragmentation weakens state authority and undermines peacebuilding and development. Recommendations called for ending political divisions, harmonizing legal and institutional frameworks, expanding the role of the Joint Military Commission, implementing disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration programmes, and establishing a dedicated mechanism to monitor implementation and measure progress.
During the discussion, participants stressed that the principal obstacle to security sector reform is political rather than technical, noting that the absence of political will has impeded previous initiatives. Several participants called for clear implementation mechanisms and measurable benchmarks to ensure the recommendations translate into tangible progress.
Participants also raised questions about the neutrality of security institutions during future elections, the management of armed formations operating outside state authority, and the steps and timelines required to unify military and security institutions under neutral civilian leadership. Others emphasized the importance of accountability and human rights protections during the transitional period and ensuring that security sector governance is guided by a nationally owned strategic vision.
Several interventions further highlighted the links between security, economic development, infrastructure protection, and youth engagement.
The discussion concluded with broad agreement that sustainable peace and stability in Libya cannot be achieved through security arrangements alone. Participants underscored the need for an enabling environment for elections, effective governance and accountability, conflict prevention mechanisms, and unified, professional security and military institutions operating under a single state authority and legal framework.
Approximately 120 Libyans from across the country—including men, women, youth, persons with disabilities, and representatives of cultural and linguistic communities—participated in the Structured Dialogue. Since December 2025, they have held 18 in-person and online sessions across four tracks: National Reconciliation and Human Rights, Security, Economy, and Governance.
On 7 June, members of all tracks presented their conclusions to nearly 200 participants including SD members, representatives of the diplomatic community in Libya, and UN support team. The recommendations are available for download on UNSMIL website.
