Saturday, December 21

Libya’s Transitional Architecture is Crumbling, Koury Tells UNSC

DSRSG Stephanie Kouri briefing the UNSC on the current Libyan situation, 16 December 2024. (UNSMIL photo)

Tripoli_ Briefing the UN Security Council on Monday, DSRSG Stephanie Kouri sounded the alarm and told its gathering 15 members and their advisors “Libya’s transitional architecture is crumbling under the weight of political polarization and the lack of a clear project for a permanent system of governance.”

Recognizing the differences among major powers over Libya’s reality and its future, Koury pleaded with the Security Council to provide a “unified support” that is desperately needed by Libyans. “Unity of purpose and coordinated support from Libya’s regional and international partners is equally critical,” she stressed.

She warned that the “status quo is unsustainable and has persisted for too long. Unilateral actions pursued by political elites have deeply eroded Libya’s institutions into parallel and competing structures,” she added.

Ms. Koury said that over the past eight months she met Libyans from all walks of life, and they have repeatedly conveyed to me a sense of urgency and to hold national elections.” “Libyans are anxious about their country’s future,” she said.

The solution, according to Ms. Koury, lies in initiating a political process facilitated by UNSMIL and will be based on main “objectives and principles” that include the following:  

“First, and foremost, preserving stability on the ground; second, pursuing Libyan ownership by building on existing Libyan frameworks; third, to help unify and strengthen institutions and their legitimacy; and fourth, inclusivity of Libyan political forces and cultural components.”

The “facilitation” of the political process, she said, will be an “incremental, flexible approach to enable progressive building of consensus.” “This incremental approach is also designed in such a way as to not predetermine any decisions made by the next Special Representative, and can be adjusted as appropriate,” she added.

Koury also put forward a mechanism to carry out this complicated task, which include the establishment of “a time-bound advisory committee tasked to review outstanding issues in the electoral framework and make viable proposals and options for an overall roadmap for the holding of elections.” In addition, the UNSMIL will “convene with Libyan partners a structured dialogue to consolidate consensus around a unified national vision for the future of the country.”

In closing her remarks, DSRSG Stephanie Kouri told the Security Council: “The Libyan people have shown that not only do they desire change, but they have the capacity to reach agreements through compromise and make lasting progress and hold elections. And they need your unified support.” She also said, “Libya’s guns largely remain silent, but it is neither stable nor at peace.”

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