He denounces that Libya has become a “battlefield” of rivalry between actors motivated by their own interests
April 16 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Abdoulaye Bathily, confirmed this Tuesday that he has submitted his resignation after reporting to the UN Security Council that the country has become “the terrain of a “fierce rivalry between regional and international actors motivated by geopolitical, political and economic interests.”
“We have seen in recent months that the situation has deteriorated due to two main factors. The first is the lack of political will and good faith on the part of the main Libyan actors, who are comfortable with the current stalemate occurring in Libya since 2011,” he explained in a press conference after the Security Council session.
Bathily, who has confirmed that he has presented his resignation to the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, has indicated that the second determining factor is international and regional dynamics. “Libya is a battlefield today”, he declared.
“The economic situation is worsening because Libya is a victim of foreign economic interference. It is also a background of mismanagement by the current leaders who do not take into account the interests of the people of Libya,” he noted.
His words come after he reported to the Security Council that despite the continued and extensive commitment of international actors, the Libyan parties “significantly hinder efforts to advance the political process.”
“The selfish determination of the current leaders to maintain the 'status quo' through delaying tactics and maneuvers at the expense of the Libyan people must cease. Libyan leaders must reach a political agreement based on negotiations and compromises,” he said.
In this sense, Bathily highlighted that “the renewed fight for Libya, its position and its immense resources among internal and external actors is making a political solution increasingly difficult to achieve.”
Likewise, Bathily has indicated that “the extension” of the Libyan unity government – recognized by the international community – “beyond the holding of elections leads its opponents to question its legitimacy.”
“Unilateral, parallel and uncoordinated initiatives contribute to unnecessary complications and the consolidation of the 'status quo'. The unity of the international community under the convening role of the UN is key to resolving the Libyan crisis,” he said.
The country is divided into two administrations after the House of Representatives ended the mandate of the prime minister of unity, Abdul Hamid Dbeibé, due to the postponement of the presidential elections in December 2021 and appointed Fazi Bashaga to the position, recently suspended from office and replaced by the now Minister of Finance, Osama Hamad.
