Stephanie Koury briefs UN Security Council on Libya's political deadlock

Stephanie Koury, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Political Affairs, delivered her inaugural briefing to the UN Security Council on the situation in Libya after assuming the role of Acting Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). She is replacing Senegalese diplomat Abdoulaye Bathily, the former Special Representative of the Secretary-General, who resigned in April, stating that “the world body could not successfully support the country's political transition as its leaders had put their own interests above finding a solution.”

Khouri began her briefing by summarizing key observations from consultations and meetings held over the past month with a diverse range of stakeholders. These included political leaders, officials, academics, civil society organizations, women's groups, military leaders, and representatives of cultural communities and the business sector from both eastern and western Libya. She reported that the overwhelming majority of Libyans she spoke with emphasized the need for a political agreement to overcome the current deadlock and achieve credible national elections to restore legitimacy to all institutions.

A framework for a future political process?

In these meetings, Koury discussed with Libyan stakeholders the framework for any future political process, highlighting the role of Libya's five main institutional parties. This initiative, previously attempted by Bathily, aimed to bring together the House of Representatives (HOR), the High Council of State (HCS), the Presidential Council (PC), the Government of National Unity (GNU), and the Libyan National Army (LNA) to resolve disagreements over electoral laws. However, this effort was hindered by each party imposing their own preconditions for participation, for instance by requesting the inclusion of the eastern-based Government of National Stability (GNS). Koury also mentioned the potential for a broader dialogue, similar to the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF), which had produced the interim roadmap leading to the formation of the GNU and the PC in 2021. Ultimately, she suggested that the upcoming political process might be a blend of both approaches.

Insights from meetings with Libyan stakeholders