A United Nations delegation, led by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily met with southern officials, tribal notables, academics, community-based organizations, women, and youth in the city of Sebha.
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said in a statement on Tuesday that the trip “builds on Bathily’s efforts to listen to people from across the country.” They briefed him on how the UN can best support a Libyan-led solution to the political stalemate.
“The stability and security of the south is vital for the stability and security of the whole country,” Bathily said.
“I was keen to come to Sebha as early as possible, because I recognize the south’s importance and its unique challenges,” he added.
The two sides discussed the path towards elections, stability, territorial integrity, and the sovereignty of Libya. Participants demanded respect for human rights and the release of political detainees, and stressed the importance of the transparent management of public resources during the country’s reconstruction.
Georgette Gagnon, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, joined the mission with the Heads of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the World Food Programme (WFP) in Libya.
The UN has worked with 23 partners, including nongovernmental and community-based organizations, to provide humanitarian assistance to 124,000 of the most vulnerable people in the south, during 2022.
The statement said that the UN Agencies are also “working with municipalities and civil society organizations to support education, health services, food security, child protection, women’s empowerment, local governance, migration management, human rights, and reconstruction.”
“The UN reinforces its commitment to supporting people in the south,” Gagnon said.
“We are increasing our work with local authorities and communities to tackle humanitarian, human rights, and development challenges in the region. We are focused on community stabilization, and economic resilience,” she added.
In turn, the Libyan representatives were “eager for Parliamentary and Presidential elections, and yearning for security and prosperity,” according to the statement.
They affirmed the need for a Libyan-led solution, to rebuild the country, and bring peace to Libya.