The UN Security Council extends its support mission in Libya until October 31, 2023

Oct. 28 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously this Friday to extend the mandate of the UN support mission in Libya (UNSMIL), headed by Abdoulaye Bathily, for one year until October 31, 2023.

The Council has also urged, after voting on the resolution, all the parties involved in the Libyan conflict to collaborate “constructively and fully” with the special representative, Abdoulaye Bathily, who arrived in the country in mid-October, in fulfilling his mandate.

The resolution recognizes the desire of the Libyan people to hold elections and urges the parties to agree on a ‘rue sheet’ to start the process as soon as possible, while also alluding to the strengthening of “strategic” communications to support the activities of The mission.

Likewise, the text states in its preamble that all Libyan stakeholders have previously given firm guarantees to support and respect the independence and integrity of the electoral process, as well as the results of the elections.

Between September 2021 and July, the United Nations Security Council renewed UNSMIL’s mandate up to five times through short-term extensions due to disagreements between members.

The House of Representatives, based in the east of the country, ended last year the mandate of the Prime Minister of the Government of Tripoli, Abdul Hamid Dbeibé, due to the postponement of the December presidential elections and ended up appointing Fazi Bashaga, in the beginning of a conflict that has spread to the country’s energy sector, absolutely essential to sustain the economy of a nation ruined after years of civil war.

Bashaga attempted to seize control of Tripoli as many as twice — on July 22, clashes left 16 dead and around 50 wounded — before giving up to avoid a serious armed struggle, though clashes have continued since then.