Mr. President, Excellencies,
I would like to thank this Council for its sustained support of UNSMIL and the implementation of the roadmap, as reaffirmed in your Press Statement on 3 March. I would also like to acknowledge the presence of Taher El-Sonni, the Libyan Permanent Representative. We are not where we would like to be in terms of progress on the roadmap. Some Libyan actors continue to disregard the expectations of the public regarding their participation in political processes, or towards exercising political leadership based on democratic legitimacy. Parallel structures have been established outside of the framework of existing agreements, which can limit the effectiveness of the UNSMIL process aimed at institutional reunification and establishing democratic legitimacy for political leadership. Conducting business as usual under the current circumstances inadvertently legitimises the status quo rather than incentivising serious negotiations and encouraging the necessary compromises to reunify the country. There are both national and regional risks to any continued inaction and foot dragging on the implementation of the roadmap and we believe it is important to recognize this now.
Mr. President, Excellencies,
Let me update on the status of the political roadmap since my last briefing two months ago.
The Structured Dialogue continued online during Ramadan and in-person this month. The work in the four tracks – security, governance, the economy, national reconciliation and human rights - has proceeded on advancing recommendations which can help create the conditions necessary for the holding of national elections, strengthening state institutions, and implementing critical reforms. We in UNSMIL have appreciated the commitment and active participation of the members of the Structured Dialogue forum, and their efforts towards articulating an agenda for Libya focusing on the four pillars of the Dialogue. At the end of this month, there will be an online plenary session to share the initial recommendations we anticipate by early June, the Structured Dialogue will have concluded its work with a final report, which will be presented to political leaders and the general public. We envision these recommendations can help to shape a national vision and inform critical policy reforms that are necessary to strengthen national institutions and create the conditions for the holding of peaceful national elections.
UNSMIL has continued to engage political actors, including the House of Representatives and the High Council of State, to advance the roadmap. We have also begun engaging a smaller group of stakeholders as I indicated in my last statement to this Council. We acknowledge that there are concerns about proceeding in this format, for clarification this convening is a platform to identify ways to unblock the current impasse and pave the way for Libyan institutions to implement the first two milestones of the roadmap building on the recommendations contained in the Advisory Committee’s report. However, if there is not sufficient progress, as indicated earlier, I will be returning to this Council to present a proposal to move the process forward based on the provisions of existing political agreements. I would like to emphasise that while there are other bilateral initiatives which involve engagement with Libyan political actors, UNSMIL continues to focus its efforts on advancing the roadmap leading to national elections as presented to this Council in August last year.
Mr. President, Excellencies,
In my last briefing, I stated that Libya’s economic situation is deteriorating sharply— with currency pressures, rising prices, fuel shortages, uncontrolled and opaque public spending,and growing poverty. These trends confirm that the current economic model, and the practices underpinning it, are no longer sustainable. This deterioration feeds public anger and increases the risk of further instability.
The findings of the Panel of Experts released to the public two days ago help to explain the erosion of the state’s capacity to govern through unified, rules-based institutions. Libya’s national wealth is being absorbed into a distorted political economy that fuels unaccountable spending and weaponises oil revenues. This diversion of resources without a consensus on agreed national priorities weakens fiscal discipline and undermines the State’s ability to function as a steward for implementing projects, programs and initiatives that respond to critical public priorities and social spending commitments. We look forward to the recommendations of the Structured Dialogue on national priorities that would support a stable, peaceful and prosperous Libya. We strongly urge the state of Libya to implement the Panel of Experts recommendations particularly those relating to oversight and flows of revenue in the hydrocarbon sector, and I would like to request this Council to support Libya in these efforts.
At the same time, Libya is facing a significant but potentially short-lived oil revenue windfall. This creates a narrow window of opportunity to reinforce macroeconomic stability and restore integrity in public finances. In this context, UNSMIL welcomes the signing on 11 April of Annex No. 1 to the Unified Development Program by members of the House of Representatives and the High Council of State under the auspices of the Central Bank, and support from the USA, as an important step towards greater fiscal coherence. The Annex adopts a unified spending framework for 2026, covering the chapters of the state budget and allocations for the National Oil Corporation. The impact of this agreement, however, will depend on the commitment of political leaders towards effective implementation and independent oversight of public spending. Without visible follow-through on enhanced transparency measures, expenditure controls and efficient revenue management, this would reinforce the perception that formal agreements do not necessarily translate into change.
There is also a need for concrete improvements in the governance of the hydrocarbon sector, including enhanced transparency and monitoring of National Oil Corporation allocations, stronger linkage with the centralised salary system to include all armed actors, and adoption of an updated Anti-Money Laundering / Counter- Terrorism financing law.
Without a comprehensive and enforceable package of implementation measures, it will be difficult to change the dynamics that lead to the diversion of the nation’s wealth. Reversing this trajectory requires sustained political will from Libyan actors to restore the integrity of their public finances, unify key governance and oversight institutions, and dismantle the systems that enable wealth diversion and state capture. It also requires collective responsibility from Member States and Libya’s partners to ensure that international engagement reinforces transparency, accountability, and stronger governance.
Mr. President, Excellencies,
On 3 March, Prime Minister Dbeibah initiated ministerial appointments for approximately 21 ministerial and deputy ministerial positions over a period of two weeks, expanding the cabinet to 32 ministers. We are of the considered opinion that all appointments should respect the provisions of Libya’s previous political agreements, if they are to achieve the objective of unifying the country. UNSMIL takes note of efforts made by member states and Libyan initiatives to bridge differences among the Libyan actors to agree on potential unification of state institutions. We are of the view that the roadmap presented to this Council creates the opportunity to deal with these issues in a comprehensive manner, and I would urge Libyan actors to engage constructively on steps that we presented to unify all institutions, and implement legislative and policy reforms as outlined in the recommendations of the Advisory Committee and, once concluded - from the Structured Dialogue Process.
Mr. President, Excellencies,
Although no violations of the 2020 ceasefire agreement were recorded, the security situation remained fragile. Localised incidents, particularly in southern border areas, underscore the need for tangible progress toward the unification of Libya’s security and political institutions.
In the western region, the northwest coastal line remains volatile among armed groups and criminal networks vying for control over territory and creating space for illicit activities. Last month, clashes were reported in Zawiya, Sorman, Khoms, and Gharyan.
Amidst reports of a continued flow of weapons into Libya in violation of the arms embargo, renewed tensions among security actors were reported against the backdrop of an uneasy co-existence. The re-emergence of tensions points to the limitations of the current security arrangements and the continued risks of conflict in the capital and elsewhere in the country.
In a positive development, on 14 April, military and security actors from eastern and western Libya participated in the launching of a joint training exercises in Sirte. UNSMIL welcomes this joint training and the establishment of joint operation rooms as building blocks to help advance the unification of the military and security institutions. Inclusive military dialogue among key military and security actors in Libya is also needed to promote confidence building and address security challenges towards unifying military institutions.
Mr. President, Excellencies,
I remain deeply concerned by the continued division of Libya’s judiciary, a point I raised in my lasting briefing. Since then there has been little progress by Libyan actors in resolving this issue. On 7 April, UNSMIL called on all relevant institutions to engage constructively and without delay with proposals from the Libyan mediation committee, warning that without resolution there is the real possibility of profoundly negative consequences for the country’s unity, the integrity of its state institutions, and the effectiveness of dispute resolution mechanisms in any upcoming electoral processes. The persistence of two constitutional bodies, two parallel Supreme Judicial Councils, making unilateral decisions including the appointment and transfer of senior judicial officierss and the relocation of key judicial bodies from western to eastern Libya, has further entrenched institutional fragmentation and legal uncertainty. Progress is constrained by political interference, and those obstructing the resolution of this critical issue should be held accountable.
Mr. President, Excellencies,
Regarding human rights, there are continuing reports of arbitrary detention, intimidation, and reprisals by security actors against perceived political opponents, human rights defenders particularly women, public officials, and detainees. Attacks also continued against members of the Sufi community and their shrines, underscoring risks to religious freedom and social cohesion. While these patterns persist, I do welcome recent steps taken in the West and in the East, including the granting of access to Mitiga prison in Tripoli to UNSMIL’s Human Rights Service on 11 April 2026 and the visits by the Benghazi-based National Committee for Monitoring the Conditions of Prisoners and Prisons to detention facilities in the East, which reportedly led to the release of a significant number of detainees. I call on all Libyan authorities to continue these efforts, end such violations, and act swiftly to release those arbitrarily detained. UNSMIL remains ready to provide technical assistance to national authorities in this regard.
Mr. President, Excellencies,
The ongoing conflict in the Sudan continues to drive significant humanitarian and protection needs in Libya, placing increasing pressure on national capacities. The Sudan Regional Response Plan, which covers Libya, is intended to support approximately 597,000 Sudanese refugees and host communities in health, protection, and food security, with an estimated financial requirement of $115.5 million for 2026. I would like to urge Member States to support this effort. In parallel, efforts continue to advance the return or reintegration of internally displaced populations, primarily those linked to the conflict, as part of the broader durable solutions agenda.
Mr. President, Excellencies,
Libya has reached a significant political, economic, and security juncture. The institutions of the state remain divided, and there is not enough progress towards holding national elections. The UNSMIL roadmap was conceived to help overcome the country’s de facto division through a negotiated governance arrangement leading to institutional reunification, the legitimisation of institutions through elections, and preserving the country’s unity. Moreover, as an integral part of the roadmap, the Structured Dialogue provides an inclusive platform for the wider Libyan public to shape the future of their country through recommendations for constitutional, legislative, and policy reforms. Further progress will require Libya’s political and security actors to work together towards state-building, in accordance with this national vision.
As Council members, you have repeatedly expressed support for an inclusive political process, in line with relevant Security Council resolutions, building on the Libyan Political Agreement and the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum roadmap. We will continue to work towards achieving the objectives outlined in the roadmap, and once again your support towards these efforts is not just important; it is essential.
I call upon the Security Council to leverage its collective influence to ensure Libyan leaders fulfill their obligations to unify institutions and work towards the holding of national elections. Allowing status quo actors to evade their responsibilities will only undermine efforts to preserve Libya’s unity and wealth and delay the path to sustained peace, stability and development.