PHOTO EXHIBIT “Libya in Transition: Helping to Build a New Democratic Libya”
OPENS AT UN HEADQUARTERS

A multimedia exhibit focusing on United Nations support for Libya’s post-conflict transition opens at the United Nations Headquarters, in the main gallery of the Visitors’ Lobby, on Tuesday, 29 January 2013. 

Photographs, videos and text panels document Libya’s early challenges and accomplishments as the nation strives to become a democracy in the aftermath of the Gaddafi regime’s legacy of repression and the fighting that led to its overthrow. 

The landmark elections of Libya’s General National Congress (GNC) in July 2012, and the excitement surrounding them, are depicted in the photographs of a broad cross-section of Libyan society. For most, it was the first time ever participating in elections; others had
waited nearly a lifetime to vote again. 

Produced by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), a political mission with its base in Tripoli, the exhibit also touches upon other challenges that Libya, with the support of UNSMIL, is working to address as it transitions from dictatorship to democracy, including improving security, promoting the respect for human rights, establishing transitional justice, demining and increasing women’s participation in all facets of society. Remarks will be delivered by United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Libya, Tarek Mitri, and Ibrahim Dabbashi, Deputy Permanent Representative of Libya to the United Nations. The Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, will introduce the exhibit. 

“Libya in Transition” features the work of UNSMIL photographer Iason Athanasiadis, and includes contributions from United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), courtesy of photographer Giovanni Diffidenti. The opening is co-hosted by the Departments of Political Affairs (DPA) and Public Information (DPI). To view a selection of the photographs from the exhibit