The United Nations has warned that Libya is at a “critical” crossroads, confronting deep political fragmentation, a distorted economy and postponed elections that jeopardise the country’s stability.
In a briefing to the UN Security Council, Special Representative for Libya Hanna Serwaa Tetteh said Libyan leaders have failed to meet public expectations for inclusive political participation and legitimate governance. She highlighted the rise of parallel structures operating outside the agreed political framework, noting that these bodies threaten to undermine UN‑led efforts to stabilise the country.
Tetteh also raised alarms about Libya’s economic management. She described the nation’s wealth as being diverted into a “distorted political economy,” where unaccountable spending and the weaponisation of oil revenues erode fiscal discipline and limit the state’s capacity to provide essential services and social programmes. The UN official welcomed continued international engagement, including support from the United States, to improve financial transparency and coherence.
Libya’s UN Ambassador Taher Al‑Sunni stressed the urgent need for a consensual constitutional framework that can pave the way for credible elections. He said Libyans are eager to end the prolonged transitional phase and restore institutional legitimacy through the ballot box rather than violence.
Humanitarian pressures are also intensifying. The UN’s Sudan Regional Response Plan, which covers Libya, aims to assist nearly 600,000 Sudanese refugees and host communities. Funding requirements for the 2026 cycle exceed $115 million.
The UN cautioned that without political compromise and coordinated reforms, Libya risks remaining trapped in instability, with ramifications for regional security and the broader Sahel‑Horn of Africa area.
The international community is being called upon to support Libya’s transition by facilitating inclusive dialogue, strengthening economic governance and meeting the growing humanitarian needs of refugees and vulnerable populations.
