The U.N. envoy for Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, has resigned after 18 months of trying to bring the country’s feuding parties together to form a unified government and hold long-delayed elections. In a scathing rebuke at a U.N. Security Council meeting, Bathily criticized the entrenched positions of the key political actors in Libya and their foreign backers, warning that their actions could lead to further instability and insecurity in the region.
The current political crisis in Libya stems from the failure to hold elections in 2021 and the refusal of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah to step down. The country has been divided between rival administrations in the east and west, supported by rogue militias and foreign governments.
Bathily highlighted the strategic importance of Libya’s location on the Mediterranean, making it a major route for African migrants and human smugglers. The chaos in the country has also allowed extremist groups like the Islamic State to thrive, posing a threat to the region.
Despite his resignation, Bathily emphasized the need for international unity to resolve the crisis in Libya. He called on the Security Council to compel Libyan and regional stakeholders to support the U.N.’s efforts to unite the country through political dialogue and hold elections.
Bathily stressed that peace and stability in Libya are crucial for the wider region’s security and called for renewed and coordinated commitment among regional and international actors. The future of Libya hangs in the balance, with the potential for prosperity, stability, and peace if the international community can come together to support the Libyan people in charting a new course.