Libya seeks UN role for security and stability

Official wants special political mission to adopt a new role of supporting the country

After a month of militia clashes that left more than 100 people dead, Libya’s UN-backed foreign minister on Friday called for the country’s UN political mission to transform into a “security and stability” support role.

Mohammad Siala, foreign minister of the UN-backed Libyan unity government, did not specify if he had in mind a UN peacekeeping mission.

“Priority must be given to security, to stability,” he told the United Nations General Assembly.

“We call for conversion of UNSMIL, which is a special political mission, into a mission of support for Libya’s security and stability,” he said without providing further detail.

The United Nations Support Mission for Libya (UNSMIL), led by Gassan Salame, was set up in 2011 to assist the country’s new authorities after the Nato-backed revolution which ousted Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

UNSMIL has focused on fostering political dialogue to help the North African country’s transition to democracy.

Under a UN-brokered agreement, the unity government was set up in Tripoli but it is not recognised by a rival administration supported by military strongman Khalifa Haftar in Libya’s east.

Tripoli itself has been at the centre of a battle for influence between armed groups with shifting allegiances. A month of clashes left more than 100 dead south of the city before the unity government on Wednesday announced a ceasefire deal between rival militias.

Siala welcomed the efforts of UNSMIL which he said enabled the conclusion of the ceasefire.

“We ask concerned parties to respect it. National and international legal bodies will pursue the authors of these tragic attacks,” he said.

The unity government has set itself the target of eliminating “dysfunctions” in the economy and banking sector that are exploited by militias. The main aims are to narrow the gap between the official foreign currency exchange rate and the market rate, and to lift state subsidies on fuel in the oil-rich country that open the door to traffickers.

The United Nations Support Mission for Libya (UNSMIL) was set up in 2011 to assist the country’s new authorities after the Nato-backed revolution which ousted Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.