U.N. envoy for Libya resigns amid frustration with feuding parties and foreign backers

UN envoy for Libya resigned due to feuding parties, foreign intervention, stalled elections, and the strategic and humanitarian implications of the crisis.

Abdoulaye Bathily, the U.N. envoy for Libya, has resigned after 18 months in the role, expressing frustration at the lack of progress in resolving the country’s political crisis. Bathily stated that he had worked tirelessly to encourage Libya's key political actors to address contested issues surrounding electoral laws and to establish a unified government ahead of long-delayed elections. However, he lamented that his efforts were met with stubborn resistance, unreasonable expectations, and indifference to the interests of the Libyan people.

Bathily highlighted that Libya has become a battleground for fierce competition among regional and international actors driven by geopolitical, political and economic interests. He accused these actors of undermining the U.N.’s efforts to restore stability to the region. The entrenched positions, compounded by a divided regional and global landscape, have raised concerns about the potential for further instability and insecurity in Libya, and the surrounding region.

Resignation and Acceptance

While Bathily did not initially disclose his resignation during a U.N. Security Council meeting, he later confirmed that he had submitted his resignation to the secretary-general. Secretary-General António Guterres expressed gratitude for Bathily’s relentless dedication to the pursuit of peace and stability in Libya and accepted his resignation.

Libya's current political crisis is rooted in the failure to hold elections on December 24, 2021, and the refusal of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah to step down. The existence of rival administrations in the east and west, backed by rogue militias and foreign governments, has further exacerbated the situation.

Foreign Involvement

Several foreign powers, including Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Turkey, Qatar and Italy, have backed opposing factions within Libya, contributing to the protracted conflict. The ongoing struggle for control over Libya’s territory has intensified the involvement of foreign actors and armed groups, posing a significant obstacle to peace and stability in the region.

Bathily highlighted the challenges arising from the lack of political will and good faith among major Libyan actors, leading to a prolonged stalemate since 2011. He also emphasized the negative impact of unilateral, parallel, and uncoordinated initiatives by certain political players, which hinder the formation of a unified government and perpetuate the existing status quo.

Call for International Unity

Bathily urged the international community, particularly the U.N. Security Council, to demonstrate unity and compel Libyan and regional stakeholders to support the U.N.'s endeavors to facilitate a political dialogue and unite the country. He emphasized the moral responsibility of the Security Council to end the crisis by empowering the Libyan people to chart a new course through elections and rebuild the country.

Bathily underscored the critical importance of peace and stability in Libya for the wider region, particularly the neighboring western Sahel. He called for renewed, coordinated commitment among regional and international actors to address the escalating crisis in Libya and mitigate its implications for the stability of the broader region.

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