In her briefing at the UN Security Council (UNSC) on 24 June, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) Hanna Tetteh warned that the truce in Tripoli remains fragile and the overall security situation is unpredictable.
She said there are reports of continued build-up and fears among many Libyans that armed clashes may resume. She highlighted that although the Government of National Unity (GNU) describes the events of May as law enforcement operations against criminals, aimed at enforcing judicial orders issued by the Libyan Attorney General, they have noticed that ‘dynamics have developed, and narratives have emerged, that risks pitting cities and neighbourhoods within western Libya against one another, threatening social cohesion and potentially fomenting further escalation.’
She further warned that the continued inflow of weapons into Tripoli has led to the proliferation of heavy arms and weapons depots in densely populated civilian areas, posing serious risks to civilian lives. There is also growing concern that further instability will draw in eastern security actors and undermine the 2020 Ceasefire Agreement. She urged all political and security actors to refrain from provocative rhetoric and actions that would only serve to deepen the lack of trust and undermine all the de-escalation efforts being made to sustain the fragile truce. This is not the time for brinksmanship and unilateral actions, there is the urgent need for cool heads to prevail.