Statement on end of visit to Libya by UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo

Department of Research, Strategic Studies and International Relations 12-09-2024

Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, ended her visit to Libya today, underlining the United Nations commitment to assisting the Libyan people in their efforts to achieve unity and durable peace.

On her fourth visit to the country, the Under-Secretary-General met with Libyan political, military and civil society stakeholders in Tripoli and Benghazi as well as with international partners. She noted that, while there was economic advancement since the last time she was in Libya in 2021, the country was now more divided and that credible and inclusive elections were the only way to break the political stalemate and end the cycle of transitional arrangements.

During the visit, Ms. DiCarlo met with Prime Minister Abdulhamid Al Dabiba and Acting Foreign Minister Eltaher Elbaour, raising concerns about the rapid deterioration of the political and security situation. She also met with President of the Presidential Council Mohamed Menfi and his deputies Abdullah Lafi and Moussa Koni. She stressed the need to resolve the crisis around the Central Bank of Libya and to advance a rights-based national reconciliation process.

In Benghazi, DiCarlo met with the Joint Military Commission 5+5 and underscored the importance of unifying the military and security institutions of Libya. In Tripoli and Benghazi, she met with women and youth groups and emphasized the important role they can play as agents of change.

She also met with the High National Election Commission (HNEC) Chairman Dr. Emad Alsayeh and stressed the UN’s commitment to facilitating a political framework for elections in Libya. Meeting with the heads of the High State Council’s Committees, she encouraged them to resolve the crisis resulting from the HSC presidency elections swiftly.

On the final day of her visit, she met with Speaker of the House of Representatives Agila Saleh in Al Qubba and discussed ways to find a consensual path forward to overcome the longstanding political deadlock in the country.

In all her meetings, she underlined the commitment of the United Nations to stand by the Libyan people in their efforts to overcome years of conflict and achieve durable peace.

Source United Nations Support Mission in Libya