Stephanie Koury, Deputy Special Representative for Libya and acting head of the UN Support Mission in the country, UNSMIL, briefed ambassadors on the initiative a day after presenting it to the population.
A boy runs past damaged buildings, defaced by shelling during the conflict, on his way home from shopping, in the city of Sirte.
Challenges to overcome
Ms. Koury said she is mindful of mounting challenges that must be overcome.
She described the recent reinstatement of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank as “an important milestone”, following resolution of a stand-off over leadership and its suspension for over a decade.
“To effectively implement monetary policy and contribute to economic stabilization, the Central Bank leadership and Board must be free to act independently, transparently and with integrity, without conflicts of interests, in concert with other oversight institutions,” she said.
Arbitrary detentions and regional instability
Meanwhile, arbitrary arrests and detention persist, and she urged the authorities to grant UNSMIL unimpeded access to all detention centres.
“I am very concerned about deaths in custody,” she added. “Since I last briefed the Council, four Libyans, including two women, have died in custody. Transparent investigations into these deaths are needed and those responsible must be held accountable.”
Furthermore, regional instability is also having a grave impact on Libya. She said that since the start of the conflict in neighbouring Sudan in April 2023, “an exponentially growing number of Sudanese refugees” have crossed the border, with an average of 400 to 500 arrivals a day.
‘Seize the opportunity’
Having presented her plan to the Council, Ms. Koury urged the international community to support it.
“Libya’s guns largely remain silent, but it is neither stable nor at peace,” she said.
“Against the backdrop of persistent foreign involvement, regional changes and growing economic headwinds, we must collectively seize the opportunity to achieve a lasting political settlement.”
She stressed that the plan’s success “first and foremost requires political will and the commitment of Libyan actors to refrain from unilateral actions that continue to entrench institutional divisions and polarization.”
She reiterated, however, that “unity of purpose and coordinated support from Libya’s regional and international partners” is equally crucial.
“The Libyan people have shown that not only do they desire change, but they have the capacity to reach agreements through compromise and make lasting progress and hold elections. And they need your unified support,” she said.