The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya and Head of UNSMIL, Hanna Tetteh, today concluded a two-day visit to Benghazi, during which she held a series of high-level meetings with key political,military, and academic figures in eastern Libya to discuss political, security, and economic developments.
SRSG Tetteh began her visit, yesterday, by meeting with the Deputy Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA),Lt. General Saddam Haftar. Discussions focused on progress achieved within the Smaller Convening framework and necessary steps to implement the 30 October Agreement. SRSG Tetteh commended the LNA constructive engagement in the talks and reiterated UNSMIL’s commitment to supporting all Libyan-led efforts aimed at advancing an inclusive political process, unifying state institutions, strengthening economic governance, and holding national elections. For his part, Lt. Gen. Haftar welcomed the recent UN Security Council resolution renewing UNSMIL's mandate, pledging enhanced cooperation with the Mission and full support for its good offices.
As part of her visit to benaghzi, SRSG Tetteh held her first meeting with the newly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, Al-Salihin Abdel Nabi, and congratulated him on his election, reaffirming UNSMIL's readiness to work closely with the HoR and all Libyan institutions toward holding elections. She further stressed the need to build upon the ongoing dialogue between eastern and western Libya to align perspectives, implement essential reforms, and foster conditions conducive to elections. Speaker Abdel Nabi reiterated the House's support for the Smaller Convening Agreement and its commitment to facilitating the implementation of its outcomes, stressing the need for a firm stance by the international community against political spoilers.
On the margins of her visit, SRSG Tetteh paid homage to Libya’s national hero Omar Al-Mukhtar, by laiding a floral wreath at his memorial. Following a briefing on Al-Mukhtar’s life and struggle by the Director of the Peace Center, Dr. Faraj Najem, Ms. Tetteh signed the distinguished guest book. She expressed her admiration for Omar Al-Mukhtar's enduring legacy, noting that decades after his martyrdom, he remains a vital symbol of national unity and a timeless inspiration for all who strive for freedom and nation-building.
Ms. Tetteh also visited the newly reconstructed University of Benghazi, meeting with university leadership led by President Dr. Ezzeddine Idris. She received a briefing detailing the institution’s rich history, the severe hardships it endured after 2014, and the efforts made toward its reconstruction. The SRSG underscored the UN Country Team’s readiness to engage with the university and the broader Libyan academic community to explore collaborative opportunities within the UN-Libya Strategic Cooperation Framework.
Finally, SRSG Tetteh met with the Director-General of the Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund, Eng. Belqasim Haftar, to discuss potential avenues of cooperation in sustainable development and infrastructure rebuilding. Both sides agreed that resolving the political crisis, sustaining stability, and unifying state institutions are essential prerequisites for ensuring the long-term success of reconstruction projects and improving public services for citizens across all regions of Libya.
