UN warns of 'fragile' Libya political process despite election deal

Libya's political process remains "fragile" despite a recent agreement to hold elections, according to the UN special representative for Libya, Hanna Tetteh. Speaking at a UN Security Council session, Tetteh urged that the current opportunity not be missed, emphasizing the need for progress in unifying the country.

The announcement of the election agreement, slated for before February 17, 2027, comes 13 years after the last elections were held. The deal, reached by Libya's top state bodies, aims to end the political, economic, and social crisis that has plagued the nation since its division into two administrations in 2014. Tetteh stressed that the Libyan people's right to choose their representatives should not be indefinitely blocked by institutional paralysis.

The agreement includes provisions for restoring the electoral commission and establishing a mechanism for selecting its leadership. Tetteh affirmed the UN mission's commitment to the process and indicated a willingness to propose new initiatives if progress falters. However, she cautioned that the momentum generated by the election deal is threatened by a wave of "disinformation and fake news" targeting refugees, humanitarian entities, and UN personnel in Libya.

Tetteh also clarified that the UN in Libya is not involved in resettling migrants within the country, stating that such activities should be undertaken by a government with broad public support and a clear political mandate. Libya has long served as a transit country for migrants fleeing conflict zones like Sudan and South Sudan.