Remarks of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya, Hanna S. Tetteh, to the Security Council on the situation in Libya
18 June 2026
Madam President (Colombia), Excellencies, distinguished members of the Security Council, Ambassador Taher El-Sonni, Permanent Representative of Libya,
I would like to thank you for your continued support to UNSMIL and the implementation of the UNSMIL-facilitated political roadmap. While the political process has regained momentum, progress remains fragile. We are of the view that the opportunity before us must not be missed.
That momentum is tested by a growing wave of misinformation, disinformation, hate speech and incitement targeting refugees, migrants, humanitarian actors and UN agencies and personnel in Libya, including Libyan nationals. False and misleading claims – particularly allegations of UN plans to settle migrants or refugees in Libya – have contributed to a climate of hostility, threats, and violence against humanitarian workers and UN personnel, and have already provoked violence against UN premises, underscoring the real dangers posed by disinformation. Migration is a legitimate public concern but must be addressed on the basis of facts, not fear, and through responsible public discourse rather than inflammatory, false and provocative narratives. Let me use this opportunity to state clear that the UN in Libya is not in the business to resettling migrants in the country.
Addressing Libya’s numerous challenges requires a concerted effort to put the best interests of the country first, unify its institutions and tackle its economic and security problems. A government with broad public support and a clear political mandate could undertake these actions. The country’s challenges cannot be addressed through fabrications and scapegoating. They require responsible leadership, unified functioning and effective institutions to restore public trust. Advancing the UNSMIL-facilitated roadmap is therefore not merely a political imperative; it is a viable path to overcoming institutional fragmentation and building a more stable and secure future for all Libyans.
Your Excellencies,
On 14 December 2025 I launched the Structured Dialogue as a central pillar of the Libyan political roadmap, which I had earlier presented to this Council in August 2025. On 7 June 2026 that effort concluded after six months of sustained engagement by approximately 120 Libyans representing diverse political, professional, social and geographic constituencies. Through 18 in-person sessions totalling some 160 hours, alongside numerous virtual sessions and in-person consultations, participants engaged in serious and at times difficult deliberations on issues across four tracks: governance, economy, security, and national reconciliation and human rights. This work resulted in an extensive set of nearly 600 recommendations addressing Libya’s main structural challenges and what needs to be done to create favorable conditions for holding general elections.
The significance of this initiative lies not only in its outputs but also in the process itself.
The process brought together a diverse group of Libyans including men, women, young people, persons with disabilities, political party representatives, municipal officials, academics and representatives of cultural and linguistic communities in a genuinely inclusive dialogue. The focus was on policy and governance challenges. Women constituted 35 per cent of participants and through the Libyan Women’s Caucus were given the opportunity to consult and agree on common approaches to address the nation’s pressing challenges while ensuring women’s rights and perspectives were reflected. Inclusiveness was further strengthened by reference documents such as the Libyan Women’s Charter and the Charter on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. More than 3,200 young Libyans and over 10,200 people shared their views through surveys and other participation mechanisms. Importantly, all meetings were held within Libya, in Tripoli and in Benghazi, reaffirming that solutions must be Libyan-led and nationally owned.
The recommendations are clear in their direction. They call for the restoration of unified, effective, legitimate and accountable state institutions. They emphasise the need for broad political consensus on credible national elections and through clear legal frameworks, with adequate resources and effective governance across institutions including the security sector.
These recommendations further emphasise the necessity for strengthened rule of law, including judicial independence, addressing issues relating to transitional justice, fundamental freedoms, decentralisation and more coherent and inclusive governance. They also call for measures to address economic distortions and ensure greater transparency and accountability in the management of public resources and the implementation of policies that stabilize, strengthen and diversify the economy while at the same time, ensuring equitable development. It talks about meaningful inclusion of all Libyans, including cultural components, women, young people, and persons with disabilities in decision-making was also highlighted whilst stressing equitable representation and a fair distribution of resources, services and opportunities across the country.
Collectively these recommendations constitute one of the most comprehensive and inclusive expressions of Libyan priorities in recent years. They provide a credible Libyan-owned foundation for advancing the political process towards elections, strengthening state institutions and economic governance as well as addressing the structural causes of instability in the country. As UNSMIL, we will reflect on the recommendations and the guidance they provide for advancing the political process.
I thank the members of the International Follow-up Committee on Libya for their support to the Structured Dialogue, including their engagement with its membership throughout the process at the request of the Libyan members.
Madam President, Excellencies,
In parallel with the conclusion of the Structured Dialogue, I continue to facilitate what we refer to as the “Smaller Convening” between representatives of the Government of National Unity and the General Command of the Libyan National Army. This convening also includes members of the two chambers. The objective is to advance the first two milestones of the political roadmap: the reconstitution of the High National Election Commission (HNEC) board and the agreement on politically contested issues of the electoral legal framework. These issues have not been resolved by the House of Representatives (HoR) and the High Council of State (HCS) to date in spite of our extensive engagements with these two bodies.
I thank the Republic of Italy for hosting the inaugural meeting of the Smaller Convening at very short notice. Discussions have continued at UNSMIL’s Tunis office have been constructive. The two delegations have reached an agreement in principle on the reconstitution of HNEC, including a selection mechanism for its Chair and by endorsing the candidates previously nominated by the two legislative chambers to form the Board of Commissioners. They have also commenced substantive discussions on the electoral laws.
While this engagement continues, UNSMIL remains committed to an inclusive process and sustained engagement with all Libyan stakeholders, including the HoR and the HCS, to support legally sound solutions for elections, as per the first two election-related steps of the Roadmap.
The Libyan people’s right to choose their representatives and institutions to enjoy democratic legitimacy should not remain indefinitely blocked by institutional paralysis.
As previously communicated, if progress in advancing the Roadmap is not possible, I will revert to this Council to present a proposal to move the process forward based on the provisions of existing political agreements and where the outcomes of the Structured Dialogue may provide us with some guidance.
Madam President, Excellencies,
Libya’s economic trajectory continues to pose a significant threat to its stability and the wellbeing of its citizens. Rising prices and the erosion of purchasing power increasingly strain households and impact the provisions of social services across the country. There is the urgent need to translate recent positive initiatives on the unified development programme and a unified budget into action to improve public financial management and strengthen economic governance.
We welcome the recent important steps towards greater fiscal coordination and management. On 15 May, the joint technical committee under the Unified Development Programme held its first meeting to implement the unified spending framework for 2026, that was signed in April this year. The Central Bank of Libya has also recently introduced measures to expand access to foreign currency through formal channels, reduce reliance on the parallel market and strengthen oversight of foreign exchange transactions. However, given Libya’s record of partial or non-implementation of agreements, these efforts must be backed by sustained delivery, strong oversight and enhanced transparency to curb illicit financial flows and ensure real reform.
Madam President, Excellencies,
Higher global oil and gas prices have boosted revenues and provided short-term relief, but this should not obscure structural vulnerabilities. Fuel shortages across Greater Tripoli and other cities particularly in the south in late April and May, exposed persisting weaknesses in the management of the subsidy regime. The primary driver of fuel shortages remains entrenched networks smuggling subsidised refined petroleum products out of the country to the disadvantage of the Libyan consumer.
The scale of subsidy exploitation is starkly illustrated in the fuel and pharmaceutical subsidy reports issued on 8 June by the National Audit Bureau and the National Anti-Corruption Commission. In the fuel sector, the report documents extraordinary and unexplained increases in fuel consumption between 2021 and 2024. This includes a 621 per cent rise in petrol withdrawals by public security entities and a 1,527 per cent increase in diesel consumption by armed forces. There is also a 203 per cent increase in diesel use by the electricity sector and spikes of up to 1,368 per cent at individual power plants. These figures strongly suggest large-scale diversion of subsidised fuel.
In the pharmaceutical sector, the reports identify systemic corruption, particularly conflicts of interest involving politically connected individuals and public officials with ownership stakes in pharmaceutical companies able to influence procurement and supply decisions. These concerns are compounded by duplicate procurement and extraordinary growth in company import financing. Some firms recorded increases of 1,300 to 1,834 per cent between 2022 and 2025 - far beyond normal sector growth.
These findings highlight systemic governance deficits that continue to waste public funds and erode trust in institutions. We hope that Libyan authorities will act urgently on the reports’ recommendations to strengthen transparency and tackle illicit fuel networks.
Madam President, Excellencies,
Libya’s fragile security situation remains under constant strain.
Renewed violence in Zawiya, in western Libya, highlighted the region’s volatility. Clashes between rival armed groups on 8 May in residential areas and near the Zawiya Oil Refinery resulted in at least 13 deaths and several injuries including those of civilians. This forced a temporary shutdown of the refinery, exacerbating fuel shortages in the west, and although contained through the intervention by the Western Coast Military Region, tensions remain high and a renewed conflict cannot be ruled out. The use of heavy weapons in populated areas subjecting civilians to harm raises serious concerns under international humanitarian law. UNSMIL continues to engage local actors and calls for de-escalation and restraint amid ongoing mobilisation and violence in the area.
Madame President, Excellencies,
In Tripoli, public mobilisation against migration-related issues intensified this month due to deliberate misinformation on various media platforms. On 4 June, hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the UNHCR and UNSMIL buildings, demonstrating against alleged plans to settle migrants in Libya. At UNHCR, demonstrators blocked access to the premises with earth barriers. At UNSMIL, protesters breached the perimeter, damaged the entrance gates, dumped sand and construction debris, and threw stones at UN security personnel.
Amidst the ongoing violence and insecurity, efforts in security coordination provide a rare example of constructive engagement. On 14 May, the Border Security Joint Technical Coordination Team met in Sirte with UNSMIL facilitation, to agree on practical steps to strengthen border security cooperation, including joint operations in Ghat and Ghadames and the operationalisation of coordination centres in Benghazi and Tripoli. Sustained coordination among key security actors fosters trust, and can overcomes Libya’s security challenges, and can pave the way for unified national institutions. Member States are also facilitating joint training for security and military officials, which we believe are important steps.
Madam President, Excellencies,
The Libyan judiciary remains divided into parallel High Judicial Councils and constitutional entities, as I previously reported to you. Unfortunately, as of yet, there is no agreement to end these divisions. This leads to contradictory rulings, unilateral decisions, and sometimes chaos, risking parallel legal systems. It erodes public confidence in the rule of law and would have an impact on electoral processes.
The Libyan Mediation Committee’s proposal to restructure the Supreme Judicial Council has gained broad acceptance. I urge Libyan leaders to accelerate their efforts to resolve this critical issue and that of the constitutional entities for the sake of national unity, and to provide persons both within Libya and outside of the country confidence in the judiciary, its coherence and impartiality.
Madame present, excellencies,
I would like to draw attention to recent steps in both the east and west to review detention cases and the release of over 400 individuals on Eid Al-Adha. We consider these to be positive developments. The Mission, however, is investigating two deaths in custody in the eastern region, which would be the first reported cases this year, if confirmed. Arbitrary arrests and detentions, including of political actors and dissenters across the country, should end, and freedom of expression and public participation should be protected. UNSMIL will continue to support Libyans’ efforts to strengthen the rule of law and human rights in Libya.
The confirmation of charges hearing in the case of Mr. Khaled El-Hishri before the International Criminal Court (ICC) marks an important step towards accountability for serious crimes and for the victims to have justice. I encourage continued cooperation with the ICC and Libyan actors and stronger domestic prosecution of human rights and international humanitarian law violations.
Madam President, Excellencies,
The Structured Dialogue has generated a credible Libyan-owned body of recommendations that reflects months of consultation, negotiation and consensus-building. While there were some dissenting voices in the governance track, the reports of the three other tracks were in full consensus. The report has been received positively, though there have also been some criticisms and the recommendations have generated positive feedback from sections of Libyan society. The task now is to ensure that this effort translates into action and structured, sequenced and Libyan-led implementation. We plan to build on this momentum. Sustained international support, including through the Berlin process, will be essential to turn this progress into unified institutions, accountable governance and lasting stability.
The same applies to the electoral track. The Smaller Convening has made some progress but more needs to be done.
I would like to emphasise that if Libyan political actors and institutions are unable to work together to create the political and security conditions for holding elections and completing the remaining legal and institutional steps within a reasonable timeframe, continued reliance on this process alone will not be sufficient to deliver the Libyan people’s right to have a government of their choice which would have democratic legitimacy.
The country now has a clearer set of political options with a narrowing window in which to act. The responsibility lies first and foremost with Libyan stakeholders. However, international commitment to support the country at this time is critical to convert processes into outcomes. I would like to appreciate the support of Member States and Members of the Council.
Today is the international day to counter hate speech, and the situation I have briefed on reminds us that words matter, harmful rhetoric can quickly deepen divisions and put people at risk, and it is through responsible dialogue that social cohesion will be maintained in this effort to promote a peaceful and inclusive political process for the state of Libya.
The direction is known, the tools exist. What is required now is the political will to deliver.
Thank you very much