Stephanie Khoury, the Acting Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), met with the Chinese Chargé d’Affaires, Liu Jian, in Tunis this Saturday.
The meeting focused on discussing the key elements of the Libyan political process, emphasizing the necessity of achieving broad national consensus for a process facilitated by the UN but led by Libyans themselves.
Both parties underscored the importance of unifying and strengthening state institutions, reaffirming the international community’s alignment and full support for the UN’s efforts to stabilize Libya.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.
