Stephanie Khoury, the Acting Head of the United Nations (UN) Support Mission in Libya, has emphasised the critical need to unify the nation’s institutions promptly and to work towards ending the conflict through a clear political settlement.
Speaking to the Libyan television network Al-Wasat, the UN official highlighted the importance of dialogue among Libyan factions and stressed the necessity of international community involvement in resolving Libya’s crisis.
Libya has been engulfed in chaos since the 2011 overthrow of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi, leading to a country fragmented by rival administrations backed by various armed groups and foreign governments.
The eastern part of the country is controlled by the Libyan National Army, led by General Khalifa Haftar, while the internationally recognised Government of National Accord administers the western regions from Tripoli.
Efforts by the UN to broker peace have led to periodic ceasefires and negotiations, but persistent divisions and external influences have complicated the path to a stable and unified government.
The situation is further exacerbated by economic challenges, including the management of Libya’s significant oil reserves, which are often at the centre of the conflict due to their economic importance.
The Central Bank of Libya, headquartered in Tripoli, announced a suspension of all operations following the abduction of a senior official on Sunday.
The bank stated it would not resume activities until the release of Musab Muslim, the Director of Information Technology, who an unidentified group kidnapped.
The Central Bank condemned the illegal methods employed by certain parties and highlighted that other officials had also received threats of abduction.
The bank emphasized that it would not restart its functions until the Muslim is freed, his return to work is ensured, and such practices are halted with the intervention of relevant authorities.
