The United Nations top official in Libya today (20 Aug) warned that over the past two months, the situation in the country “has deteriorated quite rapidly in terms of political, economic and security stability,” and stressed that “unilateral acts by Libyan political, military and security actors have increased tensions, have further entrenched institutional and political divisions and have complicated efforts for a negotiated political solution.”
Koury, who is the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Political Affairs, and Acting Head, United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said, “the status quo is not sustainable.”
She said, “in the absence of renewed political talks leading to a unified government and elections – you see where this is heading - greater political, financial and security instability, entrenched political and territorial divisions, and greater domestic and regional instability.”
The UN official said, “Libyans are frustrated with the status quo and the toll it is taking on their lives. People struggle to withdraw money from the banks and to meet their daily needs. They express fear about war once again erupting or about clashes between heavily armed groups.”
She said that the UN Mission is “focusing its good offices on, one, helping de-escalate tensions, two, preserving stability and fostering confidence building measures among key stakeholders, and three, in preparation for convening Libyan led political talks.”
“Advancing the political process, while maintaining stability,” Koury said, “is a key priority for UNSMIL.”
Libyan Ambassador Taher Al-Sunni for his part told the Council that “the solution, the only possible solution for Libya involves putting an end to divisions and to remedy the precarity of institutions through free, transparent and inclusive elections.”
The chair of the 1970 Libya Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Kazuyuki Yamazaki of Japan, also briefed the Council on the committee’s activities.
