Russia’s representative to the United Nations expressed criticism on Wednesday regarding the UN’s failure to make significant progress in unifying Libya.
She attributed this stagnation to conflicting interests among external parties that benefit from the current state of affairs and resist the success of UN-led efforts.
During a session of the UN Security Council, the Russian representative highlighted these concerns following a briefing by Stephanie Khouri, the acting head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
The Russian envoy emphasized the necessity of holding Libyan elections and resolving legislative disputes.
She stressed the importance of not excluding representatives of former authorities from the electoral process to ensure the legitimacy of the results.
She also advocated for the simultaneous organization of presidential and legislative elections.
Expressing concern over the actions of armed groups in western Libya, the representative pointed out that the ongoing instability in Libya facilitates the operations of terrorist groups in the Sahel and Sahara regions.
Libya has been mired in conflict since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi.
The country has since been divided between rival administrations: the Government of National Unity (GNU) based in Tripoli, and a parallel administration in the east, backed by the Libyan National Army (LNA) under General Khalifa Haftar.
This division has led to a complex and multifaceted conflict involving various militias and external actors vying for influence.
The United Nations has been actively involved in attempting to broker peace and stability in Libya, primarily through UNSMIL.
However, the mission has faced significant challenges due to the divergent interests of foreign powers involved in the Libyan conflict.
Countries such as Russia, Turkey, and various European states have supported different factions, complicating efforts to reach a unified and lasting solution.
The call for elections in Libya has been a central component of international efforts to establish stability.
Originally scheduled for December 2021, the elections were delayed due to disagreements over electoral laws and the eligibility of candidates.
The postponement underscored the deep-seated divisions and the complexities of achieving consensus among Libya’s political factions.
The presence of armed groups and militias remains a significant obstacle to peace and security in Libya.
These groups often operate with relative autonomy, and their activities contribute to the ongoing instability and violence in the region.
The porous borders of Libya have also allowed for the spread of terrorist activities into neighboring countries, further destabilizing the Sahel and Sahara regions.
