On 20 August, Acting UN Special Envoy to Libya Stephanie Koury briefed the UN Security Council on the situation in Libya, noting a rapid deterioration in terms of political, economic and security stability. She criticised several ‘unilateral acts’ by Libya’s political and security actors, saying they ‘increased tension, further entrenched institutional and political divisions, and complicated efforts for a negotiated solution’. Koury told the UNSC that the status quo was ‘not sustainable’ amid the absence of renewed political talks for a unified government and elections, as well as ‘entrenched political and territorial divisions’.
On the security front, these acts included the Libyan National Army (LNA) mobilizing in the southwestern of the country and the subsequent preparations by Western forces, including groups affiliated with the Government of National Unity (GNU), to respond to any potential attack. She also noted the recent armed clashes in Tajoura and the instability surrounding attempts to unseat the governor of the Central Bank of Libya (CBL).
Politically, Koury noted the recent House of Representatives (HoR) vote to end the mandate of the GNU and the Presidential Council (PC) while endorsing the eastern-based Government of National Stability (GNS) as the only legitimate executive, as well as to transfer the role of Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces to the HoR Speaker.
On the economic level, Koury said that unilateral acts were causing instability, including the supplementary budget allocation submitted by the GNS in July, as well as the closure of the Sharara oil field. She also said that efforts to replace the CBL governor were fueled by perceptions that he is ‘not acting in a manner that is transparent and with far governance to east and west’.
In response, Koury said UNSMIL was working to help facilitate an ‘overall de-escalation’ and is proposing renewed talks to promote confidence building between all parties and end unilateral actions. UNSMIL will also work with the PC and African Union to reactivate the national reconciliation process and the holding of a PC-sponsored conference this year, she added.