The United Nations (UN) Support Mission in Libya issued a statement on Saturday evening, highlighting the troubling disappearance of Libyan House of Representatives member, Ibrahim Al-Drissi.
The mission expressed its deep concern over the abduction of Al-Drissi, an elected representative from Benghazi, urging competent authorities to locate him and secure his immediate release.
The statement also called on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Al-Drissi’s disappearance and to hold those responsible accountable under the law.
The mission condemned all forms of arbitrary detention across Libya, emphasizing that such actions undermine the rule of law and create an atmosphere of fear.
Furthermore, the mission reminded the authorities of their obligations to respect fundamental freedoms, support human rights, and uphold the rule of law.
The Libyan Interior Ministry, appointed by Osama Hamad’s government and endorsed by the Libyan House of Representatives, has denied rumours of Al-Drissi’s death, confirming that security agencies have initiated an investigation to uncover the details of his disappearance.
A parliamentary source in Libya confirmed earlier that contact with Al-Darsi had been lost since Thursday evening. It was reported that his car was found in the Sidi Faraj area east of Benghazi.
The source noted that Al-Drissi was in attendance at a commemoration event in Benghazi on May 17 to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Dignity and appeared well until after 8 PM that evening.
Following the event, Al-Drissi did not respond to his phones, which were subsequently turned off. Security authorities in Benghazi were then alerted to search for Al-Drissi and determine his fate.
Libya’s Presidential Council President, Mohamed al-Menfi, held discussions with UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, on the sidelines of the 33rd Arab Summit hosted in Manama.
The media office of the Presidential Council President stated that the meeting delved into the evolving political landscape and the effective strategies to propel the political trajectory in Libya forward.
The agenda also encompassed the revitalization of various diplomatic avenues and the pursuit of consensus-driven solutions to realize the aspirations of the Libyan people for attaining a phase of enduring stability through free, fair, and transparent elections that engage all stakeholders.
