Stephanie Khoury, the American Deputy Special Representative for the United Nations Secretary-General in Libya, is set to arrive in the capital Tripoli within days to lead the UN mission, succeeding Senegalese diplomat Abdoulaye Bathily who tendered his resignation last Tuesday.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Khoury as the Deputy for Political Affairs in the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) last March, replacing Zimbabwean diplomat Rizeidon Zenenga.
Observers anticipate Khoury’s leadership will mirror the scenario that followed the departure of previous envoy, Lebanese Ghassan Salamé, succeeded by American Stephanie Williams as the acting head of the mission.
On Tuesday, Khoury held her first official meeting since assuming her role, discussing the challenges facing Libya’s political process with Libya’s UN delegate, Ambassador Taher El-Sonni.
Meanwhile, U.S. Special Envoy to Libya, Ambassador Richard Norland, met with Bathily in New York on Wednesday.
Norland commended Bathily’s commitment to the Libyan people and his efforts to bridge divisions and establish a credible roadmap for national elections.
Norland emphasized that the U.S. strongly believes that the Libyan people deserve to choose their leaders and that successful national elections are crucial for achieving lasting stability and prosperity.
He affirmed that the U.S. would continue to work with UNSMIL, international partners, and Libyans nationwide to support these goals.
Regarding Khoury’s new role, Khalifa Al-Dghari, a member of the Libyan House of Representatives, expressed concerns over the resurgence of American dominance in Libyan affairs, similar to the influence exerted during Stephanie Williams’ tenure.
Al-Dghari noted that this could potentially facilitate the implementation of Norland’s project, aiming for complete U.S. dominance unless China and Russia intervene.
Al-Dghari believes that Bathily’s resignation will not alter the situation, as he was unable to offer any solution, making it challenging for the new envoy to advance any new agenda amid U.S.-Russian tensions in the Security Council.
He stressed that the Libyan issue and the suffering of its people would persist amidst these international disagreements unless Libyans resolve their issues internally.
Fathi Omar Al-Shibli, leader of the Libyan Voice of the People Party, had previously commented on Khoury’s appointment in March, stating that the UN had thereby increased the U.S.’s control over the Libyan dossier, predicting that Khoury would soon replace Bathily—a prediction that has now come to fruition.
Al-Shibli highlighted that Khoury’s appointment represents a deliberate and systematic effort by the U.S. to dominate the Libyan file, particularly in the absence of significant roles from Russia and China.
